The race start was initially put back 48 hours after 50 knot winds lashed the coast of France around the area of Les Sable d'Olonne - the starting port for the race.

Now The fourth edition race, that was scheduled to start on Sunday, has been put back another 48 hours until November 9.

"Many could argue that if these skippers and their boats were ready to face the Southern Oceans, these conditions shouldn't deter them," the organisers said in a statement.

A vote amongst the 24 skippers backed the decision to postpone the races with 19 backing the move, four abstained and one voted against it.

Briton Elle MacArthur, one of the favourites, said: "It's a good thing, better that everyone starts together, and safely.

"In the Southern Ocean, if you were to dismast, you have sea room to deal with it, although it isn't easy," she said.

"To dismast along the coast with 60 knots on a lee shore, it would be like hitting a brick wall."