Sam Goodchild tears his mainsail | Vendée Globe 2024

🇫🇷 Sam Goodchild, le skipper Britannique du voilier VULNERABLE, a informé peu avant 13 heures la direction de course et son équipe technique de la déchirure de sa grand-voile. Elle a littéralement explosé lors d’un empannage intempestif sous pilote, au niveau de la 3ème latte, sur toute la largeur, de la chute au guindant, alors que le voilier affrontait des vents à près de 30 noeuds. Sam a repris sa route, grand voile affalée, avec à l’avant le J2 et le J3 en ciseaux. Il bataillait ferme et bord à bord depuis la latitude d’Itajai au Brésil avec Jérémie Beyou (Charal) pour le gain de la 4e place au moment de l’incident. Sam reste en course, déterminé à rejoindre les Sables d'Olonne.

🇬🇧 Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of the yacht VULNERABLE, informed his technical team shortly before 1pm that his mainsail had torn. It literally exploded during an untimely gybe under autopilot, at the level of the 3rd batten, across the entire width, from leech to luff, as the yacht battled winds of almost 30 knots. Sam resumed his course, mainsail down, with the J2 and J3 in scissors. He had been fighting tooth and nail since the latitude of Itajai in Brazil with Jérémie Beyou (Charal) for 4th place at the time of the incident. He will now throw his last forces to finish his first Vendée Globe, in the best possible place.

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➡️ SUIVEZ-NOUS ! // FOLLOW US !

[Lilly]

Arrf 😖 courage pour la suite et merci de partager votre regard sur la beauté des lieux malgré la difficulté 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[divadelyod]

Sam keep your spirits high mate, legions of followers are out here wish you well. You have sailed an amazing race, gasing newer boats to this point.... be proud, be safe, safe home!

[doctorcloudbase]

Sam, you poor man!!! Was loving you flying the union jack in 4th - never mind showing the newest boat how it's done. This, is a kick in the teeth I think we are all sharing with you. Chin up, keep calm, and carry on. You and Pip are our heros

[sprocketman]

That's unlucky, Sam. I was really looking forward to a close battle for 4th place in the final few days. Good luck with the repair. Weather forecast suggests it's gonna be rough so I'll be interested to see what repairs you can make. Great race until now, well done

[isabeller-wb]

Grrr, feeling your frustration and disappointment... Hopefully the nap helped and you'll find a solution to keep safe and reach les Sables

[alexandregouin]

Good luck Sam, hope you can repair your main sail.

[Makarista]

Courage Sam! On te soutient! 🎉 Quel incroyable exemple de lucidité et d'intelligence face aux difficultés tu nous montres ! On te soutient pleinement! 🎉

[paulplatt]

As I understand he was under 1st reef, high risk if this is hope he is able to repair it! More storms and awful seastate coming this week!!!

[timwebb]

Good plan Sam! Boat is stabilized, she'll sail onwards, you get some rest. East seems to be the direction to go anyway, just not too far.

[danielcookeb]

What a shame Sam. Right at the end is gutting, BUT don't give up, any repair and you never know!

[chrisedwards]

What a bummer Sam. Have you got evistick?
At least you still have a mast. All the best
Mate

[neilcam]

I think Shakespeare put it best in, I believe the Merchant of Venice, Act 2, scene 3, when he wrote, "Bugger!"

[sebastienmorand]

Bad incident! Sorry for that. You'll find solutions along the way.

[marionbalibar]

Quelle magnifique course tiens bon ! c'est toi la vraie surprise de ce vendée non ...? avec Justine

[HeikeLuiseHeitmueller]

Oh mon dieu....Sam, I am really gutted for you! But hey - complaining is pointless. For sure you will make the best of the situation. Fingers (and toes 😊) crossed.

[diagonaleffect]

Das tut mir leid, Sam.
Aber Sicherheit ist wichtig, vielleicht gelingt später eine Reparatur.
Leider sind bis zur letzten Mile böse Überraschungen möglich.
Pass gut auf dich auf, viel Glück. 💪🍀🌊