Samantha Davies dismasted and forced out of Vendée Globe round the world race

Samantha Davies was dismasted 130 miles north-west of Madeira on the sixth day of the Vendée Globe singlehanded non-stop round the world race making her the third person to be forced out.

She was not injured, did not ask for assistance and was safe inside her Open 60 Savéol but was in 40 knots of westerly wind at the time. The wind then softened to 15 knots and she was preparing to make her way to safety.

Louis Burton was hoping to pick up a tow for the last 100 of 700 miles back to the start port of Les Sables d'Olonne after being damaged in a collision with a fishing boat, but will be pressed to make it in time to restart by 13.02 on Tuesday.

If he fails that would mean that a quarter of the 20 starters would have abandoned after less than a week into a race which, even in record breaking schedule, would be 12 weeks.