Eric Bellion skipper of STAND AS ONE - Altavia withdraws from the Vendée Globe

It was with a heavy heart and in a state of extreme fatigue that Eric Bellion made the decision last night to abandon his secondVendée Globe. After consulting his team and fully assessing the situation, studying all the possibilities, the skipper of STAND AS ONE - Altavia had to accept the hard facts: the weather conditions in the area and the configuration of this remote island archipelago, which he knows well having already stopped there 20 years ago, did not allow him to bring his boat to safety without calling on outside help.

After he had rounded Cape Horn on Thursday and started his ascent of the Atlantic, Bellion contacted his shore team yesterday, Saturday 11 January at 0833hrs UTC to announce that the repair he made a few days earlier (the forestay attachment of J2 - headsail) had given way and that he was diverting towards the Falkland Islands to take shelter in light of a forecast of north-westerly wind forecast at 40 knots - 70 km/h with gusts of 50 knots - 92 km/h).

After 14 hours of sailing, approaching Port Stanley (East Falkland) and Bellion’s experience and seamanship determined that he did not consider it reasonable to attempt this repair alone without then having the possibility of testing its effectiveness and reliability. 

Repairing and then setting off again in rough seas, sailing close-hauled would have meant accepting the very real risk of losing the mast at any time. Bellion has been partly responsible for imagining and bringing to life this resolutely offbeat boat (shared with Jean le Cam) in June 2023. And the Vendée Globe rules are clear, "without assistance" is one of the fundamental parameters that underpin the signature of this legendary race: calling for help means withdrawing from the competition. 

And so determined but not stubborn given this structural damage that threatens the integrity of his mast Bellion made the reasonable choice. All that being taken into account he still wants to sail his  boat single-handed to Les Sables d'Olonne once it is reliable. Two people from his team should arrive on site tomorrow. An adventure outside of the race should then begin to write the rest of the story.

"Yesterday early in the morning, while I was sailing due north in strong winds close-hauled to avoid the Falklands, I discovered that my repair had given way. Fortunately I was able to lower it and I had secured the mast with a forward cable, so I did not lose the mast. The objective was then to find an area under the lee of the Falklands to be able to repair. But while I was sailing along the North coast of the Falklands, I understood that I could not make a lasting repair without modifying a part that I did not have on board. Given the weather situation in the area, I quickly realized that if I wanted to take shelter in this archipelago (which is rather flat and difficult to access in IMOCAs) I would need assistance, I didn't want to take any risks for the boat.

Making the decision to stop was horrible. I am so disappointed after all this effort, my goal was to fight, to give my all to move up the rankings. That's how it was supposed to be written, I now have to wait for the two people from my team to arrive on Monday with the part, which we repair as quickly as possible so that I can set off again serenely, alone. We are going to finish this round the world trip, a new adventure is about to begin and the story will be beautiful too.

It was very hard last night with the arrival in the Falklands, at night, with a wind of more than 35 knots and big gusts, one of the most rock and roll maneuvers of my life as a sailor.

I owe the fact that the boat is intact, to the calm, confidence and professionalism of Paul, Marilou, Barth, Marion and the entire port team. All my instincts told me that I was heading straight into a trap, I was very afraid of losing my boat. It was a high-risk maneuver to moor at the pontoon. Ten minutes later, the wind came in at over 50 knots, ten minutes later I think the boat would have ran aground. We were very lucky.

I am on land, welcomed by Marilou who gives me fruit and salad to eat, I walked on land for the first time, all these things that I had fantasized about doing back in Les Sables d'Olonne and that I am finally doing here in the Falklands... it's not like how I had imagined things to be but that's how it is. I am very grateful for this chance that was given to the boat and to me and I will try to use it to the maximum to finish this adventure in style.

We are sheltered, the boat is safe, no one is injured. I was able to count on extraordinary people here, thank you very much for this support. Now we will let the storm pass, we will repair and we will leave again. We dry our tears and we build a new adventure."