At 1423 GMT 15 February the French Class I entry skippered by Isabelle Autissier activated its emergency beacon. At the time of activation PRB was 1900 miles west of Cape Horn. At 1730 GMT race officials asked fellow Class I sailor Giovanni Soldini to alter course and head towards PRB. At the time Soldini was sailing in a 30 knot westerly at 17 knots.
Autissier is believed to be drifting northeast at about 1 knot. Autissier has contacted her shore team. Speaking from PRB Autissier indicated that PRB had "capsized" before she activated the beacon. As race officials can no longer poll PRB via satellite communications it is assumed that her satellite communications system was damaged in the incident. Instead they receive position updates via the emergency beacons.
Torresen Sailing Site will have further information as it becomes available.