Erwan Le Draoulec is abandoning his Route du Rhum and diverting to Horta in the Azores after dislocating his shoulder at sea.
The decision was made on medical advice, in consultation with his shore team. Even with the shoulder back in its socket, the risk of continuing was judged too great.
Weather between his current position and the Caribbean is shaping up to be demanding, and for a sailor nursing a freshly reduced dislocation, that combination was simply too dangerous to push through.
Diverting is always deflating, especially after everything that goes into reaching the start line of a Route du Rhum. But Le Draoulec's health and safety come first.
The plan now is to reach Horta safely, where he'll be able to access proper medical care for the shoulder.
