British yachtsman 'lost at sea' after falling overboard during around-the-world race

Mary Bowerman | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption British Volvo ocean Race crew member lost at sea British Volvo Ocean Race crew member John Fisher is presumed lost at sea after falling overboard in the Southern Ocean Video provided by Reuters

A British yachtsman who fell overboard during an around-the-world race is presumed "lost at sea," according to race organizers.

John Fisher, 47, was competing in the Volvo Ocean Race with the team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag when he fell overboard 1,400 miles west of Cape Horn, Chile, on Monday, according to a statement from Volvo Ocean Race president Richard Brisius.

"This morning I am extremely sad to inform you that one of our sailors, John Fisher, from Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag, is now presumed to have been lost at sea," Brisius said in the statement.

The team aboard the 65-foot yacht conducted an "exhaustive" search for several hours, but were unable to find Fisher, according to the statement.

Fisher was competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, a 45,000 nautical mile race around the world, for the first time. The race started in Alicante, Spain, on Oct. 22, and was set to end in Hague, Netherlands, in June.

A ship was diverted to assist Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag with the rescue operation, but was more than a day away from the yacht at the time of Brisius' statement.

"This is heart-breaking for all of us," Brisius said. "As sailors and race organizers losing a crew member at sea is a tragedy we don't ever want to contemplate. We are devastated, and our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and teammates."