Because of bad weather conditions prevailing this Sunday and forecast to continue into Monday, with a very strong southerly wind and a big, powerful swell, rendering the Les Sables d’Olonne channel impassable, Benjamin Dutreux, skipper of GUYOT environnement – Water Family and his technical team - in consultation with the organisation – has made the prudent decision to head towards La Rochelle after crossing the finish line of the Vendée Globe. The sea conditions are expected to be better and safer off La Rochelle and should allow Dutreux, his team and the boat to take shelter for the next 24 hours. He should reach the "bassin des chalutiers" at around 0030 hrs UTC tonight.
Benjamin will go up the Sables d’Olonne channel aboard his IMOCA as soon as conditions allow, in order to celebrate with the Vendée public! Further information will be communicated shortly.
*The violent storm Hermina, the name officially given to the system, is currently hitting the French Atlantic coast, with gusts of over 130 km/h and waves of 10 metres.
