Having been forced to suspend racing after damage to the starboard side of the bow, Mike Sanderson’s Team Sanya headed to Motril on the southern coast of Spain.

It is still unclear exactly what had caused the damage, but a closer inspection revealed structural damage to a large section of the Volvo Open 70’s bow section.

The team’s management are working during today to assess options and plan their next move before they issue more definitive news.

It is believed that shipping the boat directly from Spain to Cape Town is among the most likely of several scenarios that are under consideration, a move that would force the team to retire from Leg 1.