daryl.mu

The race covers 608 miles (978km) via the Fastnet rock

Organisers of the Fastnet race have said 186 of the 271 competing yachts have retired because of adverse weather. Four sailors have been injured in the race - one was taken to hospital with a broken leg, while three have minor injuries, including cuts and bruises.

The yachts left Cowes on Monday after the race was postponed by 25 hours for the first time in its 83-year history.

The first yacht crossed the finish line in Plymouth just after 0900 BST.

ICAP Leopard, a 100ft (30m) sloop, arrived at Queen Anne’s Battery after completing the 608 miles (978km) race via Fastnet rock.

The 2007 field is the largest since the disastrous race of 1979.

Seventeen sailors died in that event after the yachts were caught in a vicious storm off the south coast of Ireland.