Route du Rhum Skippers Head to Roscoff After Collision

Just hours after the start of the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum, a collision occurred on Sunday afternoon between the IMOCA Initiatives-Cœur, skippered by Violette Dorange, and the vintage trimaran Use It Again, sailed by Romain Pilliard. The incident took place around 3:15 p.m. near the Île de Bréhat in the Côtes-d'Armor region, shortly following the fleet's departure from Saint-Malo in favorable conditions.

According to race organizers and the competitors' teams, both skippers emerged physically unharmed from the impact, but their vessels sustained notable structural damages. Dorange's starboard foil was harmed during the collision, while Pilliard's port float suffered damage on its upper deck.

Pilliard explained that he had been sailing alongside Dorange at a fairly similar speed for a while. The incident happened as the wind strengthened and he attempted to reduce his sails. "She didn't see me, I think that's really it," Pilliard said in a voice message provided to media, adding that he hoped she was doing well.

Initially, Pilliard altered his course toward a port due to the damage to his float. While Dorange initially believed she could continue, her team later announced that she would also divert toward Roscoff in the Finistère department to inspect her vessel and carry out necessary repairs.

Technical stops are permitted indefinitely within the first 150 miles following the start of the Route du Rhum, according to the race's sailing instructions. Furthermore, competitors are allowed to remain in port for as long as needed to complete repairs before returning to the transatlantic racecourse.

The technical crew from Dorange's team is awaiting both sailors in Roscoff to assist with the IMOCA repairs and offer support to Pilliard so that he can resume the competition as quickly as possible. Neither team had filed a formal protest with the race direction as of Sunday evening.

Although the rules permit extended port stops early in the race, the setback severely compromises Dorange's aspirations of securing a top-ten finish in the iconic solo transatlantic sailing competition. The race jury will review the collision to establish responsibilities if a formal protest is eventually lodged.