Szabolcs WEORE, New Europe Hungarian skipper, has pulled out from the Vendee globe due to irreparable damages to his boat. Organisers of the solo non-stop unassisted sailing around the world competition announced this on Monday.

Weores' IMOCA shroud, a critical component of the rigging which supports the mast broke at the weekend, while he was sailing in winds of more than 40 knots on a port tack, about 700 miles away from Cape of Good Hope.

Weores, a professional rigger competing for the Vendee Globe, tried multiple repairs to stabilize the mast but none of them provided the safety assurance required.

The shroud suffered internal damage due to sudden shocks. This was exacerbated by the severe conditions of wind and waves.

Weores stated that this was "one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made." "I have invested many years into the Vendee Globe, with the hope of completing the journey. "Having to leave now is devastating."

Weores is on his way to Cape Town in South Africa and expects to arrive there by Tuesday.

Weores, who had completed the Route du Rhum last year, which was a qualification race, became the second Hungarian after Nandor Fa to compete in Vendee Globe. The Vendee Globe is renowned for being one of the toughest challenges in sport.

Les Sables d'Olonne in France is the starting and ending point of the approximately 24,000 nautical-mile route. It takes competitors around the southern caps of Africa, Australia and South America, then back up the Atlantic.

As they struggle to complete this iconic course, sailors face some of most hostile and remote conditions on Earth.

The race started on November 10.

Frenchman Yannick bestaven won last year's edition in 80 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)

(source: Reuters)