“Unfortunately I can't repair it on my own, there is too much damage, especially in the keel, we have to get the boat out of the water.
I must give up the Vendée Globe. ”
Death in the soul, Samantha Davies formalized on Saturday morning, when she arrived in Cape Town, her retirement from the Vendée Globe.
A heartbreak for the British sailor despite everything relieved to find dry land.
Too much damage to repair the boat alone
On Wednesday Davies had gotten a big scare when the keel of his boat hit an object as she was spinning at 20 knots.
A "violent collision" according to her which had caused significant damage.
“Unfortunately, I can't repair it on my own, there is too much damage, especially in the keel, we have to get the boat out of the water,” explained midday on Saturday the one who had finished 4th in the Vendée Globe in 2008-2009.
READ ALSO -
Vendée Globe: Sam Davies "hit by the coast", Simon "disgusted": their dismay after the damage
“I have always said that my mission was to go around the world on this boat.
If I can fix the boat and leave, I am motivated to do so ”
But the sailor does not want to remain on another failure after her retirement in 2012-2013.
By calling for assistance in Cape Town, she will be excluded from the official classification but that will not necessarily prevent her from completing her world tour once her Imoca has been repaired.
“It's too dangerous to enter the South Seas with all these unknowns.
You really have to inspect everything.
The race stops but I hope the adventure does not end.
I have always said that my mission was to go around the world on this boat.
If I can put the boat back in shape and set off again, I am motivated to do so, ”added the 46-year-old mother who was in 12th place before her mishap.
Read also
Vendée Globe: follow boats around the world with live cartography
