The Dongfeng Race Team plans to retire from leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race after breaking their mast in the Southern Ocean.
Dongfeng Racing Team Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The boats skipper 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, on Tuesday.
But on Tuesday night, the team decided to motor-sail to Itajaí and not rejoin the race.
The trip is expected to take about 12 days and then time will be needed to refit the boat in for the start of Leg 6 to Newport, Rhode Island on April the 19th.
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 manoueverability.
The decision means that Dongfeng Race Team, who were joint leaders with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing at the start of the leg, will collect eight points for a Did Not Finish result.
On Tuesday, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing led by 8.8 nautical miles from Cape Horn pace-setters, Team Alvimedica.
