The simultaneous withdrawals of both teams highlight the unpredictable nature of ocean racing, where mechanical failures and environmental factors can abruptly end high-stakes attempts.
The Jules Verne Trophy, conceived in the 1980s, continues to attract elite sailors, emphasizing the enduring challenge of circumnavigating the globe in under 80 days.
Given the ongoing winter season and the extended waiting period for the Jules Verne Trophy, both teams may regroup and prepare for another attempt in early 2025.
The technical assessments and repairs to the damaged vessels will be crucial in determining whether either team can successfully launch another record attempt before the deadline.
Just hours after François Gabart's team abandoned their attempt for the Jules Verne Trophy due to damage sustained from a collision with an unidentified object, Thomas Coville's crew aboard the maxi-trimaran Sodebo also announced their withdrawal from the race. The Sodebo team reported a failure of the central rudder while navigating the trade winds near Cape Verde, prompting their return to Lorient, their home port. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the rudder failure was caused by a mechanical issue or an impact. Fortunately, the crew reported no water ingress or additional damage, allowing them to return under their own power.
Both teams had set out with the ambition to break the existing record of 40 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes, established by Francis Joyon in 2017. Coville's team had launched their attempt shortly after Gabart's team, and both faced significant challenges shortly into their journeys. Gabart's SVR-Lazartigue had to turn back after sustaining damage to its foil, and the crew is expected to return to Brittany between Friday and Sunday. Despite these setbacks, both teams remain hopeful for future attempts, as the waiting period for the Jules Verne Trophy extends until February 15.
