Vendee Globe solo, non-stop, round-the-world race skipper, Frenchman Yann Elies, who has been rescued by the Royal Australian Navy after breaking his thigh, may have also broken some ribs.

He was transfered from his Open 60, Generali, in heavy swell strapped into a spinal splint via a RIB 800 miles off the south coast of Australia. He was in great pain suffering from severe chest pains and had difficulty breathing and had been lying in his bunk for 48 hours since he broke his thigh in rough conditions.

The 34-year-old will get a full medical check-over on the ship which is fitted with an operating theatre in case it is necessary to perform surgery.