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Severe weather hits Fastnet crews Severe weather hits Fastnet crews
(30 minutes later)
Race organisers are assessing the severe weather hitting the South West as 300 teams compete in the Fastnet yacht race. More than 80 yachts competing in the Fastnet yacht race have been forced to take shelter due to adverse weather.
As of 1000 BST on Tuesday, 61 teams had already taken the decision to retire from the race due to the bad weather. Organisers have been assessing the severe weather hitting the Dorset and Devon coastline.
Coastguards in Devon are monitoring the situation as many teams are having to shelter in ports across the region, including Torbay and Plymouth. Coastguards are watching the situation as so far 80 teams out of 300 have retired and sought shelter in ports.
Hundreds of skippers left Cowes on Monday to start of the 608-mile race. A number of boats have been damaged or had theirs masts broken. Hundreds of skippers left Cowes on Monday to start the 608-mile race.
The South West-based skipper Pete Goss is among those who has retired. He had been reunited with former Team Philips crewmates Paul Larsen and Andy Hindley for the challenge. The South West-based skipper Pete Goss is among those who has retired.
Trich Jenkins, from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, said: "We expect more yachts to retire as the day goes on". He had been reunited with former Team Philips crewmates Paul Larsen and Andy Hindley for the challenge.
Trich Jenkins, from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, said: "We expect more yachts to retire as the day goes on."
Hole in the mainsail makes carrying on folly. Gutted Matthew Pinsent, Aviva Ocean Racing
Portland Coastguard said a number of boats were sheltering along the Dorset and Devon coastline and in ports, including Torbay, Plymouth and Weymouth.
Hampshire yachtswoman Dee Caffari, has pulled out of the race.
Matthew Pinsent, who is aboard Ms Caffari's Aviva Ocean Racing, said (in online diary):"Withdrawing from race and heading back to Southampton. Hole in the mainsail makes carrying on folly. Gutted."
Salcombe lifeboat has also rescued a 36-year-old man who broke his leg on board one yacht. The man has been taken to hospital.Salcombe lifeboat has also rescued a 36-year-old man who broke his leg on board one yacht. The man has been taken to hospital.
Boats are also taking cover in Weymouth harbour in Dorset.
The race is due to finish at Queen Anne's Battery in Plymouth.The race is due to finish at Queen Anne's Battery in Plymouth.
Weather checkWeather check
The race was expected to begin on Saturday morning but was postponed after organisers received a severe weather warning.The race was expected to begin on Saturday morning but was postponed after organisers received a severe weather warning.
The 300-strong field is the largest since the disastrous race of 1979.The 300-strong field is the largest since the disastrous race of 1979.
Seventeen sailors died in that event after the yachts were caught in a vicious storm off the south coast of Ireland.Seventeen sailors died in that event after the yachts were caught in a vicious storm off the south coast of Ireland.
A spokesman from the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) said the decision to delay the start was made after the severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office.A spokesman from the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) said the decision to delay the start was made after the severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office.
The RORC said its policy was to only start the race "when it is safe to do so".The RORC said its policy was to only start the race "when it is safe to do so".