Four boats in the Volvo Ocean Race fleet keeled over in the Southern Ocean yesterday as the fleet experienced its roughest conditions since the event started last October.

The all-women’s crew of Team SCA (Sweden), Dongfeng Race Team (China) and MAPFRE (Spain) all suffered ‘Chinese gybes’ – with the boats briefly tipped on their sides – during 12 hours of drama as they headed towards Cape Horn.

Another competitor, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, also endured a drama-filled night, reporting “a massive wipe-out”, although it was not pitched on its side in the same way as the other three.

No injuries were reported although the boats were assessing how much damage had been done in the incidents after they were returned upright.

A Volvo Ocean Race spokesman said: “For a while, it was real mayhem but fortunately, none of the sailors was hurt. All four boats were later able to return to sailing through the most treacherous waves encountered since the six-strong fleet set off in Alicante last October.”