HIGH seas and strong winds have forced more than a third of yachts racing in this year's Rolex Fastnet to retire.

More than 90 of the race's 271 starting yachts have been forced to pull out after the fleet was battered by 45mph winds.

Boats have been streaming into Plymouth and other ports along the Devon and Cornwall coastline in search of shelter from the weather conditions.

For some boats it was not so much the wind, but the accompanying sea state that was proving exhausting for the crews.

The race has already drawn comparisons with the notorious 1979 Fastnet, during which heavy weather led to 17 deaths.

Southampton's Jonny Malbon was just one of the skippers left with no other option but to head for port.

He was forced to retire his Open 60 yacht Artemis Ocean Racing after the boat's only mainsail ripped in galeforce winds After retiring Jonny said: "We were four hours from going round Lands End in very strong winds and a horrible sea state but the boat felt good and we were in touch with the leaders.

"The wind picked up and as we were due south of Plymouth at 1am, we put a third reef in and the mainsail ripped as we were doing it.

"To sail the rest of the race with three reefs would never have worked - we wouldn't be able to fly any spinnakers or any other sails.

"It's a big disappointment but we decided there was no option to continue especially as the wind was up to 40 knots."

Janet Grosvenor, RORC Racing Manager, said: "The boats are doing exactly what we expected given the conditions.

"They are going safely into nearby ports the Race Office is in contact with local Coastguards to monitor the boats and situation."

The current race leaders, which include the 100ft Leopard, Rambler and several of the Open 60 fleet, are north of Bishop's Rock.

At Fastnet Rock, winds were reported to be north-easterly at 15 knots.