Arnaud Boissières, skipper of the recently dismasted La Mie Câline has been forced to retire from the race in the end. He took this decision on Sunday and officialised it with race management.

The solo racer who was bidding to complete his fifth consecutive Vendée Globe dismasted last Thursday at the latitude of the Cape Verde islands whilst on his climb back up the Atlantic. Since then, 'Cali' looked for every possible solution, in particular by cutting his mainsail to create a makeshift jury rig. But even that solution did not allow him to make useful northwards progress. And so he has decided to retire.

“I tried to sail north again with this piece of mainsail and the jib set on the the bow but it didn't work. The boat is pretty roughed up and won’t really sail like this. I already got that feeling yesterday: it's my last day of this Vendée Globe. I think I've tried everything, I don't want to tempt the devil. I'm in the trade winds and so downwind and I am heading to the West Indies. I don't have a solution. My children can be proud of me: I have really tried everything. I don't like the term "abandonment" because I still have 10 to 12 days at sea to reach the West Indies. These days, this will be my therapy. And as my consolation prize, I get to spend time on the ocean, which is what I love most in the world"

Arnaud Boissières, LA MIE CÂLINE

Source : Vendée Globe