French Windsurfer Rescued After 16 Hours Adrift in Stormy Waters

The 27-year-old man was found alive off the coast of Normandy after a large-scale search operation involving helicopters and rescue teams.

Vianney, a 27-year-old windsurfer, went missing Sunday afternoon during a storm off the coast of Réville, Normandy.
Despite a maritime weather warning, he ventured out with his windsurfing board and failed to return, prompting his father to alert authorities around 5 p.m.
A coordinated search effort included marine rescue teams, firefighters, and aircraft from France and Guernsey, but initial attempts to locate him were unsuccessful due to rough seas and strong winds reaching 100 km/h.
He was finally spotted Monday morning, approximately 6.5 km southeast of the Saint-Marcouf Islands, clinging to his 1.5-meter board after 16 hours adrift.
The man was airlifted to safety by a Navy helicopter and transported to a hospital in Cherbourg, where he was treated for shock but is expected to recover.