Woman in round-world yacht race injured

Michelle Porter, from London, was taken to a hospital in Port Elizabeth on her birthday from one of 12 yachts taking part in the Clipper round-the-world race.

It was feared the crew member had broken her arm when the yacht was “rolled” by hurricane- force gusts, but she escaped with torn ligaments and severe bruising.

In a statement issued by the race organisers, Ms Porter, who turned 37 on Saturday, said: “It’s certainly a birthday I won’t be forgetting anytime soon and for the wrong reasons.

“I feel a bit numb, a bit sick, and also pretty devastated that I’ve had to leave the yacht.”

Ms Porter, who hopes to rejoin the yacht in Australia, added: “I sailed with it from London and I’m pretty gutted that I’m not doing this leg.”

Ian Gray, the station commander of the National Sea Rescue Station in Port Elizabeth, said its crews had rendezvoused with the yacht five miles from the harbour.

“We came alongside to put a crew member on board and the patient was found to be uncomfortable, in some pain, but in good spirits,” he said.

“We managed to transfer the casualty onto the seven-metre rescue boat.

“From there we were able to transfer her to the larger craft and then brought her back to the harbour.”

Recalling the incident, Ms Porter added: “I was tagged onto the high side by my safety line and just didn’t see the wave coming.

“The next thing I knew I was clinging onto the rails on the low side. Had it not been for my safety line I would have been straight overboard.”

The 11-month race began in London in September.