Injured yachtsman rescued by navy
Vendee Globe round-the-world solo yacht race competitors go to the aid of Yann Elies
A French sailor who broke his leg in the Vendee Globe round-the-world solo yacht race has been rescued by an Australian Navy frigate.
Yann Elies was unable to move after injuring himself when a large wave slammed his boat in the Southern Ocean.
At about 1050 GMT, the 34-year-old skipper was transferred from his 60ft yacht to HMAS Arunta.
British competitor Samantha Davies broke off from the race to go to his aid. She is due to rejoin shortly.
The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, said the frigate had made quicker progress than expected and sent out an inflatable launch to rescue Elies from his boat, the Generali.
He is now being treated by a doctor on board the navy vessel and is expected to be taken to Perth military hospital.
Deputy race director Julian Hocken said the sailor had been "extremely brave" and must have been in "terrible agony".
'Comforting'
Davies and a second competitor, France's Marc Guillemot, had changed course to offer assistance to Elies.
Despite large waves, Guillemot managed to sail his boat close enough to Elies's yacht to throw a bag containing water and painkillers on board.
 |  His spirits are good and everything has finished happily Samantha Davies Vendee Globe competitor |
"I was able to speak to him and that was very comforting for him," Guillemot told France's RTL radio.
Guillemot watched the rescue take place and said it had been carried out "perfectly".
The 33-year-old Davies had said she would continue sailing to Elies until event organisers gave her the green light to resume racing.
"I can't describe my feelings of horror when the reality of the situation hit home," she said.
"It is one of the phone calls that I hoped I would never receive - to find out a fellow competitor and good friend is injured and suffering."
Davies told the BBC she had received a call from HMAS Arunta to say that Elies was safely on board.
"His spirits are good and everything has finished happily, which is a big relief to me," she said.
"It really is a dangerous race... and we must take care out here."
Mr Hocken added: "Sam is an example of the great bonds of friendship and assistance that this class enjoys here."
Davies, a Cambridge University engineering graduate, and Guillemot will receive time credits for making the diversion.
Autopilot
Elies was also complaining of chest pains and was confined to his bunk after the accident. A member of his team said his mood improved after making radio contact with Guillemot.
"He was able to eat, to drink and has managed to take some painkillers. As soon as he did that, about half an hour later he was able to sleep better, and since then his morale has been on the up," said Erwan Steff, the logistics manager for the Generali team.
His thighbone was broken when a massive wave slammed into his boat as he was changing a sail on Thursday.
He managed to drag himself into the cabin and activate the vessel's autopilot.
 Elies suffered a leg break after a huge wave slammed into his yacht, Generali |
The Frenchman's team says they will attempt recover the yacht, which is currently about 800 miles (1,287km) off Australia's southern coast.
This is not the first time Australian forces have rescued Vendee Globe racers. They went to the aid of Briton Tony Bullimore and Frenchman Thierry Dubois in the 1996-97 race.
The rescues drew criticism because of the cost to the Australian taxpayer, but Vice Admiral Russ Crane said the navy had no hesitation in responding to the request to help Elies.
"They are very experienced and diligent operators and no one knows the conditions in the Southern Ocean better than they do," said race director Denis Horeau.
Thirty yachts began the race, held every four years, from the French Atlantic port of Les Sables d'Olonne on 9 November, but 12 have now withdrawn.
Foncia skipper Michel Desjoyeaux is in the lead as the racers approach the southern Pacific Ocean.
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