A SAILOR whose team seemed on course for victory in one of the world’s most gruelling races has been involved in a dangerous collision.

Simon Fisher, who is the navigator for the 11th Hour Racing Team, saw his crew's chances of winning the prestigious Ocean Race evaporate earlier this month when a rival team crashed into their yacht mid-race.

The teams had been only 15 minutes into the final leg of the race from the Hague and had been expecting to finish in Genoa, Italy, at the weekend.

Footage of the incident shows the yacht from Guyot Environnement crash into the 11th Hour Racing Team's yacht, leaving a gaping hole in the boat.

Though both boats were severely damaged, nobody was injured from either crew.

In an interview with the Ocean Race media team, Simon Fisher, from Burnham, said: “I’m absolutely lost for words.

“Charlie was screaming ‘starboard’ to Guyot and they just didn’t respond – the result is they’ve put their boat firmly in the side of ours.

“The bowsprit went right through the boat and came out in the inside and we’re really lucky no-one’s hurt.

“Personally, I refuse to admit this race is over."

A redress hearing will be held by the World Sailing International Jury on Thursday.