Sailing: Sharp’s Vendée hopes sunk by late bid

Looking to becoming the first person to sail single-handedly around the world on a zero-emissions, energy efficient boat, the Islander had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to buy an IMOCA-60 vessel, worth over £1 million, ahead of next month’s Transat and November’s big event – the Vendée.

However, the 2006 Route de Rhum winner was gazumped by a Japanese crew at the last minute, and has now been forced to adjust his ‘clean technology’ project.

‘I was gutted to find out we couldn’t compete and that the boat had been sold to another party,’ Sharp said. ‘That was our last option.’

Full story in Wednesday’s JEP.

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