DISASTER has struck a Hampshire-based yacht only hours into the Volvo Ocean Race.

Just six hours and 85 nautical miles into the 6,500-nautical mile m leg from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town, Ian Walker's Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Azzam has dismasted and has suspended racing.

Azzam was beating into strong northwesterly headwinds of around 30-35 knots when the accident happened. Sailing at 12 knots in a steep four-metre seaway, the boat was dismasted just 20 miles off the Spanish coast. None of the crew was injured.

The crew has successfully salvaged the mainsail and J4 headsail. In a violent seaway and pitch darkness, crewman Wade Morgan was put in the water to cut away the top of the mainsail at the headboard car. The mast is broken from the first spreader upwards and is now secured to the port side of the boat.

Speaking from the boat, Ian Walker, 41, from Southampton, said: “Our situation is now stable. We are motoring towards flatter water at Cabo de Palos where we hope to lift the top section of the mast aboard.

“We do not as yet know the cause. Our intention is to return to Alicante under motor to repair any damage and step our spare mast.”

Meanwhile, the remaining five boats are pressing on towards the Straits of Gibraltar, 7.5nm off the Spanish coast where the winds have decreased to 20 knots.