Round-the-world yachtsman Kevin Escoffier has been banned for 18 months by the French Sailing Federation following a sexual assault inquiry, as RTL Today reports.

Escoffier, who skippered Team Holcim-PRB in the most recent edition of The Ocean Race, was quizzed earlier this month by officials from his sport’s national governing body over an alleged incident during the race stopover in Newport, Rhode Island in May.

The yachtsman — who made headlines in late 2020 when he was rescued in the South Indian Ocean during the Vendée Globe — denies the allegation and said through his lawyer that he will appeal the ban.

RTL Today has more on the story HERE.