A SOUTH coast round the world racing team has retired from the latest leg of the Volvo Ocean Race after their yacht dismasted in the Southern Ocean.

Donfeng Race Team, run by Isle of Wight sports company OC, had been leading the six-strong fleet when part of their enormous 100ft mast snapped.

The crew, led by Frenchman Charles Caudrelier, had considered attempting to re-join the 6,776-nautical mile stage from Auckland to Itajaí, Brazil, after successfully nursing Dongfeng to Ushuaia, Argentina.

But instead they made the tough decision to withdraw from racing so their boat can be refitted in time for the start of the next leg from Itajai to Newport, US. A statement from the Chinese sponsored team read: "The decision has been made to motor-sail to Itajaí and not rejoin the race – although skipper Caudrelier has yet to officially retire from the leg at this time, it is just a matter of protocol now.

“He will not relish this part of the administrative process and if there had been any other timely and effective way to rejoin the race and get to Brazil, he would have undoubtedly taken it.

“But even under motor-sail the delivery trip is expected to take around 10-12 days and then add the days needed to refit the boat in time for the start of Leg 6 to Newport.

“Trying to rejoin the race, which would mean returning to the point they started using the engine at the western entrance of the Beagle Channel then sail south around Cape Horn, would prove to be too risky, especially with rig and sails not fully fit for racing.

“It wasn’t safe to enter the Beagle Channel without the engine, even if it would have left more options for a racing departure.”

By motoring to Itajaí, they will buy some time to make the repairs ready to start Leg 6 to Newport – although it will still be tight. The fleet is due to depart on April 19.

Dongfeng Race Team was due to leave Ushuaia for Itajaí late last night.

At 0315 on Monday, a sickening crack had signaled to Caudrelier and his crew that the top section of the mast had fractured, leaving the boat without full manoeuvrability.

The decision means that Dongfeng Race Team, who were joint leaders with Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing at the start of the leg, will collect eight points for a Did Not Finish result. As the Echo went to press, Abu Dhabi were around 10 miles ahead of the chasing fleet.