SAILOR Alex Bennett is safely back on dry land after a terrifying crash into rocks in France during training for a 4,000-mile transatlantic race.

His damaged yacht, the 21ft English Braids, was loaded on to a trailer and shipped across the Channel on a ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth before being driven back to Brighton Marina, where it arrived yesterday, accompanied by Alex.

The £30,000 yacht has gaping holes in the bow, stern and keel and a wrecked rudder. Repairs are expected to take three weeks.

But talented skipper Alex, 23, who lives in Cuckfield, hasstressed the setback will not scupper his solo attempt to win the 4,000-mile Mini Transat Race from France to the Caribbean later this year.

The crash happened as English Braids was being towed out of the French Port of St Vaast, with Alex on board, on Sunday.

The boat pulling English Braids swung violently, dragging her first into another yacht sailing nearby and then on to sharp rocks half a mile out to sea.

Alex, who was unhurt, called for help on his radio. French rescue services towed him back to the port.

Alex said: "You don't get to the top of this sport without incidents like these.

"It's only a minor setback in terms of the whole picture and I am used to dealing with strange situations.

"If it had been an error of judgment on my part then I could accept that, but it was not my fault.

"Hopefully I will be back at sea in three weeks, come Hell or high water!"

Alex and partner Chris Pontet had successfully competed in a race from Cowes to St Vaast as part of a training programme, coming third out of 30.

Alex is being sponsored for the transatlantic journey, which starts in September and will see him celebrating the millennium at sea, by Brighton Marina and rope manufacturer English Braids.

Andrew Lay, managing director of Brighton Marina Moorings, said: "Alex is quite shocked but luckily isn't hurt. If the accident had been related to the way he sails I would be more concerned.

"But Alex is a great sailor."

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