British yachtsman missing at sea after falling overboard during round-the-world race

A British yachtsman is missing at sea after he fell overboard during a gruelling round-the-world race.

John Fisher, 47, was taking part in the 45,000 mile Volvo Ocean Race and has been reported missing in gale force winds by his team - Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag.

His yacht was roughly 1,400 miles west of Cape Horn on the southern tip of South America when the accident happened just after 12:30pm local time.

Organisers of the race have said the chances of finding him alive are "diminishing".

Mr Fisher, originally from Southampton but resident in Adelaide in Australia, was wearing survival equipment, but race organisers say the "chances of a successful recovery are diminishing".

The rest of the crew was reported safe.

"Given the severity of the forecast and with nightfall just over an hour away, we acknowledge the chances of a successful recovery are diminishing," Volvo Ocean Race said in a statement.

The recovery effort is being led by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which identified a ship 460 miles away that has been diverted to the scene to help.

Teammates have been conducting a search and rescue operation, but organisers say that because of the conditions - which were due to deteriorate - turning other competitors in the race around to help is not an option.

According to his crew profile, this is Mr Fisher's first attempt at the Volvo Ocean Race.