Op zondag 4 december ontving de wedstrijdorganisatie van de Vendée Globe bericht van Kojiro Shiraishi dat zijn schip Spirit of Yukoh is ontmast. Schipper Kojiro was binnen in de boot toen hij de mast hoorde breken en is ongedeerd. Kojiro is genoodzaakt om op te geven in de Vendée Globe.
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Kojiro: “At 0330 UTC, I heard the mast break from inside of the boat. I quickly went outside to check the damage but the mast had broken in half above the second spreader. I was able to remove the broken piece and I will need to go up again to do some cleaning. The wind was 20 knots at the time I dismasted. I’m okay. I don’t need any assistance, and I am heading for Cape Town. I am sorry for everyone who supported me in this journey and would like to particularly thank my sponsors for their kind support.”
- Kojiro Shiraishi