Crew member hurt in round world yacht race Crew member hurt in round world yacht race - World news Several attempts to get injured Australian off leading vessel fail, forcing it to divert to Taiwan A yacht in the Clipper Round the World race fell victim to heavy weather off the coast of Taiwan Saturday, with an Australian crew member breaking his leg above the knee. Nurses on the yacht, Gold Coast Australia, attended to the injured man, Tim Burgess, 31, but several attempts to get him off the boat failed because of the conditions. Strong headwinds and high waves hit the yacht as it navigated the leg of the race from Singapore to Qingdao, China. That part of the journey is considered one of the most challenging legs. The yacht was proceeding under engine power to a port in northern Taiwan. A Taiwanese coastguard helicopter tried to airlift the injured Australian from the yacht, but was forced to give up because of high winds. Dutch yacht diverts A coastguard vessel also attempted to take Burgess on board, but was again forced to back away. A Dutch yacht taking part in the race, De Lage Landan, which has two doctors on board, was eight miles away when the accident happened and changed course to try to help. It moved alongside the Gold Coast Australia to provide assistance, but the rough conditions again halted the attempt to treat the injured sailor. Gold Coast Australia, skippered by Richard Hewson of Australia, has led since the beginning of the race and was expected to quickly regain ground as its competitors continue to race. "I would like to offer my thanks to De Lage Landen for their support and wish them the best for the rest of the race," Hewson said in a posting on the race's website. The website showed De Lage Landen in first place in the race as Gold Coast Australia diverted to northern Taiwan. Breakingnews.com staff contributed to this report.