Transquadra Skipper Lost at Sea

[TaoJones]

The Transquadra is a race for solo and double crews from Madeira to Martinique. Sailors departed Madeira on January 24th.

Jean-Marc Hautbois, a 55 year-old P.E. teacher from Gap in the Hautes Alpes, was single-handing his vessel, a First 31.7 named Xenon. On February 7th, Mico Bolo, the Transquadra race director, noted that satellite data indicated Xenon had suddenly changed course and speed some 760 miles east of Martinique. This occurred not long after the boat's skipper had informed race organizers that he intended to climb his mast.

Another race crew, Francis and Patrick Van Eetvelde Bevernaege aboard Avel, were successful in rendezvousing with Xenon on Monday, February 9th. They discovered that there was no one aboard the vessel. A harness was hanging at about half-mast and a single shoe lay on the foredeck. The vessel was sailing under its genoa alone, and the Avel crew reported that the boom was broken.

Almost certainly, Jean-Marc Hautbois fell from his mast and went overboard. It is unlikely that his body will ever be found.

TaoJones

[GordMay]

Trans Quadra starts in the French Saint-Nazaire and the finish is located in Port du Marin on the island of Martinique. It’s a 4000 nm Transat race for solo and dual handed non-professional sailors, at least 40 years old.

Jean-Marc aboard "Xenon":

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Trans Quadra starts in the French Saint-Nazaire and the finish is located in Port du Marin on the island of Martinique. It’s a 4000 nm Transat race for solo and dual handed non-professional sailors, at least 40 years old.

Jean-Marc aboard "Xenon":

Yes, this is correct, Gord. The first leg of the Transquadra is from Saint-Nazaire, at the mouth of the Loire on the French Atlantic coast, to Madeira, and took place last summer (late July, 2008). The second leg, from Madeira to Martinique, occurs in January-February of the following winter.

TaoJones

[shadow]

That is SAD news and I hate to hear of such mishaps. Our prayers are for his loved ones. All I can say is at least he left while doing something he truly loved.