Irish Clipper racing yacht to be abandoned after reef accident

The 16-strong crew from Cork, the Irish entry in the Clipper round the world yacht race, including 43-year-old Sarah Bell, from Ripon and Keith Hale, 50, from West Yorkshire, took to liferafts after the boat was holed near the island of Gosong Mampango in the Java Sea.

They were safely transferred to other boats but ocean surveyors and salvage experts have concluded the yacht, which cost 1m, has been so weakened by the pounding that she would not survive being refloated and towed 450 miles to Singapore. Even then the extent of damage puts her beyond economic repair, organisers say.

Race organiser and legendary round the world sailor Sir Robin Knox Johnston said: "It is with very great sadness that we have to accept that Cork Clipper will remain on the reef as we lose her to the sea.

"This is the first loss Clipper has experienced in seven races, and since the first race in 1996 more than two million miles of racing has been safely and successfully completed.

"Clipper accepts the surveyors' practical opinion and I'd like to thank all of those who have assisted in our rescue efforts over the last couple of days."

Meanwhile Cape Breton Island, skippered by Jan Ridd, from Dorset, passed the finish line in the Singapore Straits on the fifth stage of the race from Geraldton, Western Australia, at 0914 local time (0214 GMT) yesterday, 15 minutes ahead of Spirit of Australia.