Armel Le Cléac'h one of the favourites to win the Ultim class in the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe solo race from Saint Malo to Guadeloupe is heading to Lorient after breaking the daggerboard of his Maxi Banque Populaire XI at midday.
His team reported that at midday while sailing close-hauled in 20 knots of wind, Le Cléac'h heard a crack without any apparent shock. He noticed the breakage of the daggerboard under the bottom of the boat's hull. He is reported to be on his way to the technical base of the Maxi Banque Populaire XI in Lorient, which he will reach in about ten hours. All solutions will be studied there with Team Banque Populaire for the rest of this Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.

"Armel told us about this breakage which requires him to return to Lorient for us to analyze the situation. Armel is safe, the road to reach our technical base will be in manageable conditions." said Ronan Lucas, Director of Team Banque Populaire.