THE skipper of the Hull and Humber Clipper has broken his leg after he slipped and fell on deck.

Piers Dudin, the only professional yachtsman onboard, is awaiting evacuation.

The accident happened yesterday during leg five of the arduous Clipper 09-10 Round The World Yacht Race.

Dudlin suffered a nasty open fracture to his right leg, according to race organisers.

Today, the yacht was being manned by the amateur crew who have turned the vessel towards the coast of Japan.

It is thought a replacement skipper will be flown in for part or all the race, which concludes in Hull, in June.

The boat was 400 nautical miles off the east coast of Japan, on its ways from China to San Francisco, when the accident happened.

The Japanese Coastguard was dispatched with a doctor onboard yesterday afternoon.

Sea conditions will dictate if Salisbury-based Piers will be evacuated by boat or helicopter.

An open fracture is a broken bone that penetrates the skin.

Immediate treatment is needed and an operation is often required to clean the area around the fracture, because of the risk of infection.

It is the third stroke of bad luck to hit the Hull and Humber.

On November 6, Hull crew member Arthur Bowers fell overboard and had to be rescued from the freezing waters.

Then, on November 22, the Hull and Humber had a dramatic collision in South Africa with rival boat Cork, leaving them 10 days behind the rest of the fleet.

Zoe Williamson, communications manager at Clipper Ventures, said: "Piers is in good spirits. His leg was strapped up by the crew and he is on painkillers, getting rest where he can.

"The crew have got lots of experience, having travelled 18,000 miles, so they will have no problems sailing the boat for now."

The Spirit of Australia yacht is shadowing the Hull and Humber as a precautionary measure.

A&E consultant doctor Joan Clancy, onboard The Spirit of Australia, is on standby, ready to give medical assistance if required.