PHOTOS: When gut hiking goes bad

With stormy weather featuring rain squalls over 25 knots on July 3, huge waves, and even a waterspout in the course area, the 51 entries from 11 nations had a wet and wild start at the 2014 ORC European Championship being held in Valencia, Spain. Racing continues daily through July 6.

Class A boat – Paolo Semararo’s brand-new carbon NEO 400 Fermax – broke a lifeline on the first leg of the race, sending two crew into the water on the windward side. Fortunately the team circled back quickly to pick up their swimming crew within just minutes of the accident and carry on with their race.

Photos by Max Ranchi. Click here for more.