The 13th edition of this solo Atlantic crossing to Guadeloupe set off Sunday from Saint-Malo.
If conditions allow, the cargo ship will be able to lower a small boat to go meet Francis Joyon, in order to avoid a side-by-side collision with the trimaran.
Two cargo ships have been diverted and are heading to the area to come to his aid.
All means are being deployed to provide him with assistance.
The cargo ships must first assess the situation.
The exact cause of the capsize has not yet been established.
The skipper capsized around 2:30 p.m. French time.
According to the race director, the boat was sailing in 20-knot conditions,"fairly calm"with a reef in the mainsail, when a gust of wind caused the craft to capsize."He is an experienced sailor both in victory and in capsize and that also reassures us, because he has exactly the right moves and the right reactions on board his boat,"said Francis Le Goff.