Skipper Kevin Escoffier has been charged with sexual assault

French skipper Kevin Escoffier on 24 October 2020 aboard his monohull Imoca 60 PRB at the starting site of the 2020 edition of the Vendée Globe.

The French Sailing Federation (FFVoile) seized the Paris prosecutor’s office on Friday for skipper Kevin Escoffier. The FFVoile told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday June 13 that its decision concerns “facts that would be related to a sexual assault”according to a close source, happened in May with a young woman in the United States during a stopover for The Ocean Race. Kevin Escoffier, 43, announced he would step down from the helm of his PRB-Holcim sailboat after arguing ” an accident “ with a member of his team, which took place in Newport on May 15th.

The federation initially turned to the sexual violence unit of the sports ministry, which was charged with an administrative investigation. He therefore decided to take direct legal action by bringing in Article 40 which requires reporting of any crime or offense when an authority becomes aware of it. “Article 40 is triggered on Friday”learned AFP from the FFVoile. “We have no new elements to bring”we have added.

“I made a number of phone calls which led me to believe that what was presented as an alleged incident was inappropriate behavior he allegedly displayed towards a woman at a party”FFVoile president Jean-Luc Denéchau explained to AFP last week.

PRB-Holcim, with Kevin Escoffier as skipper, has been first overall in The Ocean Race around the world since the beginning of January, before relinquishing first place in the 5And internship to American crew 11th NowRacing. He also won The Ocean Race in 2017-2018 and also has the 2005 Transat Jacques-Vabre named after him.

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The world with AFP

By James Brown

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