Photo: Sam Davies / SAVEOL

After only a week into the Vendée Globe non-stop round-the-world single-handed yacht race, four of the twenty original sailors have dropped out due to casualties or gear failure. The latest include Louis Burton, who was in a  collision with a fishing boat off Portugal, and Samantha Davies whose boat suffered a dismasting last night.  Previously, Kito de Pavant also withdrew from the race following a collision with another fishing boat. Marc Guillemot was forced to withdraw after the keel on his boat Safran broke on the first day of the race.

Vendee Globe 2012-2013: Sam Davies crashes out after Saveol dismast as casualties mount