Bad weather is being blamed for two separate offshore sailing accidents at the weekend, one of which led to the death of a yachtsman.
A 46-year-old London man died after falling from a yacht competing in a race from Cowes to France.
At home, five yachtsmen had escaped harm when their craft hit rocks off the west coast at the weekend.
The 46-year-old British sailor lost his life after falling overboard during the race, which started in Cowes at 1900 on Friday night. It is understood that the accident took place approximately 17 miles South East of the Isle of Wight.
A RORC statement says "It is with great regret that the Royal Ocean Racing Club has to report a tragic loss of life during the RORC Morgan Cup race from Cowes to Cherbourg".
The Coastguard and Lifeboat services were called to assist the crew who recovered the man but were unable to revive him.
The boat returned to port in the UK overnight.
The yacht was one of seventy-two experienced offshore race boats taking part in the race.
Off Galway, yachtsmen competing in the overnight 'Round Aran race' were forced to abandon off the coast of Galway when their yacht hit rocks early on Saturday morning. The men, all experienced sailors, made it to land after they launched a life raft and raised the alarm.
