ĐÀ NẴNG —  The Đà Nẵng-Việt Nam team was knocked down when a huge wave struck it amid strong winds last night on the ninth race’s 23rd day.

The Clipper 2015-2016 Round the World Yacht Race announced yesterday that the boat did not need assistance, but the wave damaged the port side binnacle and helming bars.

As a precaution, the team decided to retire from the race and use a motor to sail the rest of the way to Seattle, organisers said.

The team’s skipper, Wendy Tuck, reported that she and some of the crew had sustained minor injuries. Some crew members were shaken by the incident, but otherwise they were safe and well.
Bridget Keevil suffered a small cut to the eye and nose, as well as a black eye. She also hurt her shoulder, but she has been treated for the injuries.

Tuck suffered a gash to the head, for which she received treatment, according to the Clipper Race’s Global Medical Emergency Support Partner Praxes.

“I have been a bit busy tidying up,” Tuck said. “Flo (our boat) had a little lay down today when a big nasty wave decided to create some havoc. We are all ok on board, a few bumps and bruises.

“The crew were amazing. Everyone jumped to the tasks that we needed to do to get Flo back to her stately self. We have lost our port helm station, so everything will have to happen from our starboard one now.”

The Đà Nẵng-Việt Nam team, which finished sixth on the seventh leg from Airlie Beach, Australia to Đà Nẵng Port, was on the ninth race from Qingdao, China to Seattle in the US, from March 20 to April 15.

The team, led by Tuck, previously won first place in the Clipper 70 class of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The Clipper 2015-2016 Race started in London in August and takes eleven months to complete. Its 40,000 mile circumnavigation is divided into shorter legs so crews can choose to take part in either the whole race or one or more legs.

Following the first stopover in Brazil, the fleet docked at Cape Town, Albany in Western Australia, Sydney, the Whitsundays and Đà Nẵng.

The race will finish at London’s St Katharine Docks in August. — VNS