Les Sables d'Olonne (France) [ENA] What a triumph: Almost forced to quit the solo sailing race before Christmas, Louis Burton managed to fix his rig at the bottom of the world and now crossed the Equator as the first VendeeGlobe skipper on their way back into the northern hemisphere. The Frenchman had advanced from 6th place at the Equator on his southward trip 60 days ago, after rounding three capes and despite losing 900 miles off Macquarie Island.   [Full story...]

Les Sables d'Olonne (France) [ENA] The team of Franco-German sailor Isabelle Joschke, who was forced to abandon the VandeeGlobe yacht race less than 5.700 miles from home because of keel problems with her 60-feet boat MACSF, has confirmed that the skipper is safe and on her way to Brazil. Although a final decision had not been made, she expected to dock in a port of northern Brazil in about a week’s time. Joschke said, she was bitterly disappointed.   [Full story...]