Velux 5 Oceans - Christophe Bellens dismasted en route to event

3:39 PM Tue 5 Oct 2010 GMT

'Belgian solo sailor Christophe Bullens was dismasted this morning off the coast of France en route to the start of the VELUX 5 OCEANS.' Velux 5 Oceans &copy Click Here to view large photo

Velux 5 Oceans hasn't yet started, but the problems have for Belgian Sailor Christophe Bullens as he was dismasted this morning off the coast of France en route to the event. The 49-year-old skipper had been sailing his Eco 60 class yacht Five Oceans of Smiles in 18-knot winds and choppy seas 15 miles from the Normandy coast when disaster struck. Christophe was down below with another crew-member while two more crew were on deck. They then heard a snapping noise, thought to have been one of the mast's shrouds breaking. Christophe raced on deck and saw the mast snap ...

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by Velux 5 Oceans Media