The punishing fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race has already seen the withdrawal of both Delta Lloyd and Ericsson 3 teams, each with forward structural damage.
From SailWorld.com:
In 30-knots of breeze and big waves, David Pella from Spain discovered a crack in the bow bulkhead, which gives the hull its strength. The bow also showed some signs of delamination. A few hours earlier, the mainsail had been torn again. The combined factors resulted in the inevitable decision to take shelter. Team Delta Lloyd is currently 14 nm from Keelung City in the northeast of Taiwan and expects to arrive in approximately two hours time. The team has not officially suspended racing so far and will carryout further inspection to the boat once in Taiwan.
See also: article on Ericsson 3 hull fracture (SailWorld.com)
