This Saturday, November 16 at 2200hrs UTC when he was sailing in the leading group of the western option Louis Burton informed his shore team and the Vendée Globe race management that he had just heard a very worrying noise: a "big crack" on board the IMOCA Bureau Vallée.

After taking all the necessary precautions and carrying out a series of checks, he realised there were  cracks on the deck of the boat (at the level of the Gennaker spreader), which may risk affecting the structural integrity of the boat.

Burton is continuing the investigations. The skipper of the IMOCA Bureau Vallée remains in the race.

Further update to follow