Olivier de Kersauson said his maxi-trimaran Geronimo was rammed ‘violently’ while moored alongside a pontoon in Brest’s Moulin-Blanc marina.

‘A Figaro-Benéteau suddenly appeared and missed its tack. It came straight at Geronimo, 90 degrees on and at full speed and rammed us violently aft of the beam. The starboard float is shattered over 1.5 m.’

‘This is an appalling blow for the whole team working on and around Geronimo, ‘ he added.