Clipper Race organisers will talk to crewmates of Sarah Young, who died during the race

Officials have said it is still very early days as they try to comfort the crew as they grieve the loss Sarah Young during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race last week.

According to a spokeswoman for the organisation they will now be regularly talking to the IchorCoal crew in the lead up to their arrival to the next stop later this month.

It comes after amateur sailor Sarah, 40, became the second person to die during the 2015/16 race.

Her death has sparked an inquiry by the Marine Accident Investigation Board after the company owner from London, who has been described as a “witty, ballsy, caring lady,” was killed after being swept off her boat into the Pacific Ocean.

Her death was six months after a fellow crew member Andrew Ashman, 49, from Kent was killed while sailing off the Portuguese coast.

Miss Young, who took on the challenge to mark her 40th birthday, was recovered from the sea by her crewmates on Friday last week who tried to resuscitate but she never regained consciousness.

The incident happened as the crew were sailing from China towards their next stop in Seattle, America.

Now organisers have said they are staying in touch with the crew and will be planning to have support on hand at the port when they arrive.

A spokeswoman for Clipper Round the World Yacht Race said: “It’s still very early so it’s not really appropriate for us to say what the crew want to do right now.

"We will have support at the port when they arrive and it’s really up to them what happens next, it’s their decision whether they want to carry on or stop from that point but we will be in contact with them regularly and know more closer to the time.”

The spokeswoman said they are anticipating the fleet of 12 yachts will arrive at Seattle port sometime between April 15 and 20.

Yesterday, fellow competitors paid tribute to Miss Young and a minute’s silence was held at sea over the weekend before the IchorCoal crew buried their crewmate at sea.

Gosport-based Greg Miller, skipper of the Mission Performance crew, said: "On board PSP Logistics, we have had a session where we could share our feelings and support each other through this.

"To reassure our family and friends at home we are being super vigilant about our safety and all taking extra measures to look out for each other - even more so than normal.

"Our priority has always been to achieve our dreams in a safe manner, whether it is one leg or round the world, and this remains our priority over and above the racing aspect.”

This year the race has attracted 25 amateur sailors from Hampshire to take part, including Alison Boeree, 57, from Lymington, James Shepherd, 30, from Cheriton, Tracie Appleby, 48, from Boyatt Wood, Ali Hudson, 45, from Lee-On-Solent, Dawn Miller, 44, from Gosport, Charlotte Morton, 34 from Gosport, Damien Sweeney, 45, from Romsey, Chris Beddoes, 61, from Hursley Katherine Garner, from Burley, Lucie Ward, 30, Lymington and Rowena March, 65, from Ringwood.