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Fastnet crews struggling at sea Severe weather hits Fastnet crews
(20 minutes later)
Coastguards in Devon say a number of competitors in this year's Fastnet yacht race are sheltering in Torbay and Plymouth because of the bad weather. Race organisers are assessing the severe weather hitting the South West as 300 teams compete in the Fastnet yacht race.
Hundreds of skippers left Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Monday at 1100 BST at the start of the 608-mile race. As of 1000 BST on Tuesday, 61 teams had already taken the decision to retire from the race due to the bad weather.
It is due to finish at Queen Anne's Battery in Plymouth. Coastguards in Devon are monitoring the situation as many teams are having to shelter in ports across the region, including Torbay and Plymouth.
Brixham Coastguard say many vessels are currently considering whether to continue the race due to the severe weather conditions. Hundreds of skippers left Cowes on Monday to start of the 608-mile race.
The South West-based skipper Pete Goss is among those who has retired. He had been reunited with former Team Philips crewmates Paul Larsen and Andy Hindley for the challenge.
Trich Jenkins, from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, said: "We expect more yachts to retire as the day goes on".
Salcombe lifeboat has also rescued a 36-year-old man who broke his leg on board one yacht. The man has been taken to hospital.Salcombe lifeboat has also rescued a 36-year-old man who broke his leg on board one yacht. The man has been taken to hospital.
Boats are also taking cover in Weymouth harbour in Dorset.Boats are also taking cover in Weymouth harbour in Dorset.
The race is due to finish at Queen Anne's Battery in Plymouth.
Weather checkWeather check
The race was expected to begin on Saturday morning but was postponed after organisers received a severe weather warning.The race was expected to begin on Saturday morning but was postponed after organisers received a severe weather warning.
The 300-strong field is the largest since the disastrous race of 1979.The 300-strong field is the largest since the disastrous race of 1979.
Seventeen sailors died in that event after the yachts were caught in a vicious storm off the south coast of Ireland.Seventeen sailors died in that event after the yachts were caught in a vicious storm off the south coast of Ireland.
A spokesman from the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) said the decision to delay the start was made after the severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office.A spokesman from the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) said the decision to delay the start was made after the severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office.
The RORC said its policy was to only start the race "when it is safe to do so".The RORC said its policy was to only start the race "when it is safe to do so".
The South West-based skipper Pete Goss is among those taking part. He has been reunited with former Team Philips crewmates Paul Larsen and Andy Hindley.