Dongfeng Race Team's mast broke above the third spreader - the top section of the mast - 240 nautical miles west of Cape HornYann Riou/Dongfeng Race Team
The Chinese boat sharing the overall lead in the Volvo Ocean Race was forced to suspend racing in the fifth leg when it broke a mast in the Southern Ocean on Monday.
The incident could hardly have happened in a worse spot for Dongfeng Race Team, 240 nautical miles (445 kilometres) from Cape Horn in southern Chile, one of the most remote places on Earth.
The breakage in the top section of the mast means the team cannot properly manoeuvr the boat. No members of the nine-strong crew on board were injured.
The team originally announced it would have to quit the leg but later said it was investigating whether it could continue to the final destination in Brazil after making repairs in Argentina.
"There's still a possibility we could limp all the way to Brazil and that way we'd still earn two points," the team said. "It may make all the difference in the end. We'll see."
The boat's French skipper, Charles Caudrelier, sent a message to his team, saying he was devastated by the breakage. His team of Chinese rookies had been joint leaders with Abu Dhabi Ocean Race at the halfway point of the nine-month, offshore race.
"The mast broke without warning, in about 30 knots of wind," Caudrelier said. "We are unable to sail safely on starboard tack, but we are able to make reasonable speed on port tack. We will head towards Ushuaia, Argentina, and assess our options."
The team was on its way to Itajai in southeastern Brazil from Auckland, New Zealand, on the 6,776 nautical mile leg, the most treacherous of the race, when the accident happened.
Volvo Ocean Race organizers said they had alerted maritime safety organizations and were doing everything they could to assist the crew.
Dongfeng will now face a race against time to have the boat transported from Ushuaia to Itajai to start the next leg to Newport, Rhode Island, with a new mast. The fleet is scheduled to set sail for the sixth leg to the U.S. on April 19.
It is the second major breakage to hit the seven-strong fleet since the race began on Oct. 11 from Alicante, Spain.
On Nov. 29, during the second leg in the Indian Ocean, Denmark's Team Vestas Wind badly damaged its boat after it smashed into a reef. The crew escaped unhurt after wading through waters known to be shark-infested to reach safety. The vessel is now being rebuilt and the team hopes to rejoin the race in June for the final two legs.
In all, the race will cover 38,739 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports and every continent. It is due to conclude in Gothenburg, Sweden, on June 27.