Global Challenge yacht Team Save the Children is heading for Hobart, Tasmania in gale force conditions to put ashore an injured crewman.

Adrian Albrighton was in his bunk in one of the mid-cabins when the yacht was hit by an exceptionally large wave and became airborne. It seems that Adrian was injured when the subsequent impact threw him against a heavily padded bunk tube.

Dr Sarah Droog, the yacht’s Doctor, in consultation with the Challenge Medical Officer, Dr Spike Briggs, and Derriford Hospital (Plymouth, UK) Accident and Emergency Department decided that the injury to Adrian’s hip requires hospital attention and that it was not prudent for him to spend another 32 days at sea en route to Cape Town in leg 4 of the Global Challenge.

Skipper Paul Kelly and all the other members of the crew are reported to be safe and well and determined to continue racing.

Team Save the Children was 80nm south of Tasmania and despite the wild and difficult conditions, will sail 130 miles to arrive off the entrance to the Derwent River, on the east coast of Tasmania, between 0900 and 1200 GMT today.

Elsewhere in the fleet Imagine It. Done and Barclays Adventurer still retain an equal lead with BP Explorer 21 miles astern.