Sailor rescued after 16 hours in capsized yacht

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 23:16

A FRENCH sailor was rescued from the hull of his capsized yacht yesterday after 16 hours trapped inside.

Jean Le Cam, 49, was sailing his boat, VM Matriaux, in the Vende Globe solo round-the-world race when he sent a distress call to his shore team at 00:26 GMT, moments before his phone went dead.

At the time, he was close to Cape Horn, lying third in the 26,000-mile race, and it appears he lost his keel.

Fellow French sailors in the race, Vincent Riou and Armel Le Cleac'h, changed course to go to the area.

At about 14:21 GMT Riou was able to get alongside the wreck in his yacht, PRB, and heard a shout from Le Cam.

At about 6pm Le Cam climbed out of the stricken yacht and Riou was able to get him aboard in heavy seas, damaging his own yacht.

Initially it was thought that Le Cam would be trapped until divers could get to the scene.

A race spokeswoman said: "Jean Le Cam has been rescued safe and sound. It was Vincent Riou who recovered his fellow skipper and friend."