A Dutch sailor in the Volvo Ocean Race died yesterday after being swept overboard from the yacht ABN Amro Two, race organisers said.

The Volvo Ocean Race said on its website that Hans Horrevoets, 32, was washed overboard early yesterday as the boat was sailing in five-metre seas some 1,300 miles (2,092 km) off the British coast.

The crew immediately turned the boat around, took the sails down and mounted a search and rescue effort. Horrevoets was located and lifted back on board.

However, despite the efforts of crew members under the direction of medical advisors to resuscitate him, Horrevoets failed to regain consciousness.

The yachts in the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, previously known as the Whitbread race, are currently sailing on an Atlantic crossing from New York to Portsmouth.