GGR 2026 Fleet Down to 23 — French Sailor Arsène Ledertheil Withdraws from the Golden Globe Race
May 13, 2026 · 3 min · 2K views
What this video covers
French sailor Arsène Ledertheil has withdrawn from the Golden Globe Race 2026 after spinal surgery, reducing the fleet to 23 competitors.Watch Speaking from hospital, Ledertheil explained that a slipped lumbar vertebra required stabilization by screwing it to an adjacent vertebra; the operation was performed four days before his announcement and was successful.0:08 He ruled out continuing because full recovery requires at least three months — too little time to complete his boat's refit, meet qualifier requirements, and prepare adequately for the race.1:15 He extended congratulations to race organizer Don McIntyre and the GGR staff, and said he plans to travel to Les Sables-d'Olonne to see the fleet at the start.1:42
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