TWO sailors have been rescued after a monster wave hit a yacht taking part in a round-the-world race that began in Southampton seven months ago.
The US coastguard picked up the injured British sailors when a rescue boat reached the battered yacht about 200 miles off the California coast and transported the sailors to a coastguard cutter.
The two were treated aboard the cutter and received additional medical aid when the vessel reached San Francisco Bay this morning, said a spokeswoman for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.
The injured were Jane Hitchens, 50, a doctor from Kent, who may have suffered broken ribs, and Nik Brbora, 29, a software engineer from London who may have suffered a sprained pelvis.
The Geraldton Western Australia was hit by a huge wave on Saturday when it was about 400 miles from a finish line in San Francisco Bay, knocking out its steering mounting.
The sea was so rough on Saturday that rescuers could not parachute down to the yacht and rescue the injured sailors. The coastguard was only able to drop medical supplies until the cutter arrived to assist the crew.
Thirteen people were aboard the yacht. Two others who suffered minor injuries decided to continue sailing.
The crew planned to fix the yacht and continue two more legs of the race, which began in Southampton on July 31 last year and is due to finish back in the city on July 22. The Geraldton Western Australia is among 10 identical yachts participating in the race.
The boats departed Qingdao, China, about a month ago for the 5,680-mile trek across the Pacific, the longest leg of the race.
The first boat arrived on Friday at Jack London Square in Oakland, where the entire fleet is expected to stay until April 14 to make repairs, restock, rest and take part in a sailboat show before embarking for Panama.
