Sam Goodchild (Leyton) officially left the Route du rhum and the Ocean Fifty category, forced to retire, just hours after the start of the event from Saint-Malo.
The Briton injured both arms and face shortly after the cannon shot.
“
A technical problem caused the crank to backfire and Sam was hit hard by the handles of the winch column
,” the organization said.
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The skipper, who was quickly taken care of by his team and then the SNSM, was evacuated to hospital in Saint-Malo.
From his room, he was able to reassure those around him by posting a photo on social networks, assuring that he was “alive and in great shape” His face is however well marked with a large bruise on the left eye and an imposing bandage on the same side.
Sam Goodchild from his hospital bed in Saint-Malo Instagram