Sam Goodchild and co-skipper Ned Collier Wakefield have been forced to retire from this year's Transat Jacques Vabre race after their boat sustained irreparable damage during the night.

The pair were racing in 25 knot winds and heavy seas off the coast of northern Spain at around 10pm when their port rudder blade hit something in the water, causing their boat Concise 8 to broach and take on a substantial wave.

The collision caused collateral damage to essential fittings and equipment which meant they were unable to continue. Neither sailor was hurt in the accident.

The pair have now pulled in to the harbour town of Muros, just south of Cape Finisterre.

Writing on his Facebook page, Goodchild said he was "hugely disappointed" to have been forced to abandon the race.

Goodchild and Collier Wakefield were also forced to bow out of the race at their last attempt in 2011 when their boat Concise 5 suffered a cracked hull.