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'Experienced' British Yachtsman Dies In Race

'Experienced' British Yachtsman Dies In Race

An "experienced" British yachtsman has died after being hit by a rope while competing in a round-the-world race.

Andrew Ashman, 49, was adjusting the main sail of his team's IchorCoal boat when he was knocked unconscious by the mainsheet and possibly the boom, race organisers said.

A mainsheet is a rope connected to the boom which allows a sailor to control the speed of a boat.

Mr Ashman was given medical treatment at the scene but never regained consciousness.

The incident happened about 120 miles off the Portuguese coast heading south towards Brazil in the first leg of the Clipper Race.

The family of Mr Ashman, who was a paramedic from Orpington, Kent, have been informed.

Ian Pullen, a sailing friend of Mr Ashman's, said: "He had a permanent grin stuck on his face. He had unstoppable enthusiasm. He just loved sailing, he absolutely loved it.

"He would have died with that silly grin on his face because he was doing exactly what he loved."

He was loved by everyone he sailed with and was "really excited" about competing in the Clipper race, Mr Pullen added.

Clipper Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "This is extremely sad news and my heart goes out to his bereaved family and friends, and to his fellow crew who have come to know Andrew with great affection during his training and the early days of this race.

"Safety is always our utmost priority, as our record shows, and we shall investigate the incident immediately in full co-operation with the authorities."

An investigation into the tragic accident will be carried out, organisers said.

All the other crew are safe.

Mr Ashman, who was awarded the Queen's Medal for his 20 years service for London Ambulance, was less than a week into the year-long race.

It is the first death in the history of the Clipper Race, which was established nearly 20 years ago.

The race fleet is made up of 12 identical yachts under the command of highly experienced professional skippers.