7 Nov 2011

Two boats suspend racing in Volvo Ocean race

11:25 am on 7 November 2011

Two of the six boats in the Volvo Ocean Race have been forced to suspend racing inside the first 24 hours offshore as the teams were beset by brutal sea conditions while still in the Mediterranean

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing returned to Alicante under engine after the mast on the team's racing yacht Azzam had broken in five-metre waves and 30 knots of wind, just six hours and 85 nautical miles from the start of Leg 1 to Cape Town.

The Chinese boat Team Sanya damage their hull while sailing upwind in 38 knots.

Team New Zealand's boat, Camper, leads the fleet as they head towards the Strait of Gibraltar.