The past three days have been very scary for Frenchman Thomas Ruyant, who limped into Bluff this morning on his badly damaged yacht, under Coastguard escort.
The lone yachtie had been taking part in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race on the 18m Le Souffle du Nord but struck a mysteryobject in the Tasman on Sunday.
Le Souffle du Nord was damaged after a collision about 260 nautical miles off the South Island. Photo / Supplied
Ruyant said he was doing about 18 knots at the time and the collision split open the yacht's hull near the bow.
He was about 260 nautical miles off the South Island and thought he would lose his boat.
