THE STORY
During the 2020–2021 Vendée Globe sailing race, several competitors collided with unidentified floating objects (UFOs). On December 2, 2020, Sébastien Simon's Arkea-Paprec sustained significant damage to its starboard foil after such a collision, leading to its retirement from the race. The following day, Samantha Davies' Initiatives-Cœur was also damaged by a UFO, resulting in her withdrawal. Both skippers continued their voyages unofficially after repairs.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Vendée Globe fleet
WHY IT MATTERS
These incidents highlight the unpredictable hazards sailors face during high-speed ocean racing, emphasizing the importance of safety measures and the challenges of navigation in vast, uncharted waters.