Australia/France

Flying doctor to the rescue of injured yachtsman

Article published on the 2008-12-20 Latest update 2008-12-20 11:24 TU

Yachts ready for the Vendée Globe
(Photo: A Cassim)

The Australian navy has boarded the yacht of Frenchman Yann Eliès, a competitor in the Vendée Globe yacht race who has broken his leg 1,500 km from land in the Southern Ocean. One of Australia's flying doctors is with the mission and is expected to adminsiter anaesthetic and help splint Eliès's thigh and knee, which are reported to be badly swollen.

Winds, which were at 20-25 knots, are reported to have eased but conditions are still difficult. The operation is taking place 1,500 km south of the Australian coast.

Eliès broke his thighbone on Thursday in a fall when a huge wave hit his boat as he was changing a sail. He dragged himself to his cabin but since then has been unable to move freely, although he was able to eat, drink and take painkillers.

He was in eighth place at the time.

The Australian navy frigate HMAS Arunta, carrying a doctor from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, left the West Australian port of Fremantle before dawn Friday.

Another competitor, Marc Guillemot, changed course to meet Eliès early on Friday morning and promised to stay nearby until the arrival of the navy vessel. Race organisers promise to compensate him for the time lost.

The Vendée Globe takes place every four years. Thirty yachts left the French Atlantic port of Les Sables d'Olonne on 9 November but 12 have now abandoned the race.