Thomson runs aground but still leads Route du Rhum class

The Gosport skipper's IMOCA 60 race boat was grounded on rocky cliffs at the north end of Grande Terre - just south of the Grande Vigie lighthouse on La Pointe à Claude.

The incident happened at around 9.45pm local time on Thursday night.

Thomson was not injured but there is damage to his boat.

In order to ensure the safety of himself and the boat, the 44-year-old was forced to use his engine and manoeuvre the boat safely away from the coast. 

Once away from the rocks, he re-sealed the engine and re-commenced racing.  

Upon closer inspection of HUGO BOSS by the Alex Thomson Racing technical team, the boat appears to have sustained only minor superficial damage.

The crash box in the bow is damaged and has taken in water but it is contained.

The starboard foil is also damaged, and according to Thomson's conversation with the Race Director, the keel and its structure are certainly also affected  

Thomson is continuing on, though, and his focus remains on winning the race.  

He is still in first place, ahead of nearest challenge Paul Meihat, from France.