Irishman Damian Foxall has been injured after his yacht capsized in 'ferocious' conditions during an Atlantic race off the French coast.
Two yachts capsized and a third has lost its mast in stormy conditions close to the Bay of Biscay.
Foxall, co-skipper on the 'Fonica' yacht, has injured his shoulder and ribs, and according to initial reports, suffered a broken collarbone.
One of the capsized yachts, 'Orange Project' left its two crew members clinging to the overturned hull, west of the Bay of Biscay.
Britain's coastguard said a Nimrod aircraft had reached the boat and dropped a life raft to the crew who were now waiting for a French warship to pick them up.
A coastguard spokesman said it would take up to two hours before the ship could reach them. A third yacht, 'Sodebo' lost its mast but has now been reached by a French fishing vessel and is under tow and a third yacht, 'Foncia' has also capsized.
Foncia is some six miles from Orange Project and the Nimrod aircraft has also delivered life rafts to its crew.
The yachts were part of a 34-strong fleet racing from France to Brazil in the Transat Jacques Vabre race.
