PCYC'S DEREK HATFIELD UNINJURED WHEN HIS 'SPIRIT OF CANADA' SUFFERS 'MASSIVE KNOCKDOWN' SOUTH OF AUSTRALIA

Derek Hatfield's team informs Vendee Globe race committee that he has suffered a massive knock-down and the top two spreaders on his mast have broken in half leaving the mast unsupported on the leeward side, the broken spreaders banging against the mast.

At the time the Canadian skipper was sailing along under bare poles in a storm that has been raging for more than five days with low pressure system after low pressure system. The storm seemed to be subsiding when a huge wave knocked the boat on its side putting the mast in the water, not an easy thing to do on these 60' by 20' boats.

Hatfield states that he was not injured and is going on deck to further assess the damage to the mast and come up with a plan of action.

We will release more information as it becomes available.