After starting the Vendée Arctique Les Sables d’Olonne race this Sunday evening at 1700hrs French time the 49 year old Hungarian skipper Szabolcs Weores has had to turn back towards the start port Les Sables d’Olonne after suffering a technical problem, reported to his team to be an issue with the hydraulics controlling the canting keel on his IMOCA Szabi Racing. 

The 49 year old was at 30 nautical miles from Les Sables d’Olonne when he turned back, was making over 10 kts and is expected back in the start port at 01:00 AM today. His technical team are standing by to fully evaluate the situation.