The family of Falmouth sailor Susie Goodall have spoken of their “deepest gratitude” to everyone involved in her safe rescue after her yacht dismasted during a solo race around the world.

Falmouth solo round-the-world sailor Susie Goodall has been rescued from a remote spot in the Pacific Ocean.

Susie’s had been taking part in the Golden Globe Race – the only woman to do so – when disaster struck.

Her 35-foot yacht the DHL Starlight was dismasted on Wednesday morning UK time, 2,000 miles west of Cape Horn in 60 knot winds, and she had to wait in her damaged boat for two days before finally being rescued yesterday.

Cargo ship the MV Tian Fu was re-routed by Chilean authorities to travel the 480 miles to Susie’s position, where an intricate rescue in heavy seas was then carried out to transfer the yachtswoman onboard.

Susie’s family have now posted a statement on her website, saying: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the successful rescue of Susie.

“Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Chile, Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Falmouth, the Golden Globe Race organisers and especially the master and crew on Tian Fu have given it their all over the past few days.

“It was with a heavy heart Susie left DHL Starlight to fend for herself, before she fills with water and rests on the Pacific Ocean floor. DHL Starlight has been her home for the past few years; a faithful friend who stood up valiantly to all the elements, a guardian until their last moments together.

“Once aboard Tian Fu, Susie remarked how enormously welcome the crew made her feel. They offered lots of food and drink, and over the next week or so she’ll have plenty of time to rest en route to Argentina.

“When she was younger, Susie loved doing somersaults on trampolines. We just never thought she’d do one in a boat.”

Susie has been writing posts on Twitter about her experiences while waiting to be rescued and has since written of her delight at having a hot drink at last.

Susie had been running in fourth place when her yacht rolled in 60-knot winds and she was thrown forwards in her cabin, sustaining a minor head injury and being knocked unconscious for a short time.

She spent the following hours removing the rigging debris to prevent further damage and had to pump out water that was making its way onto the deck.

Participants in the Golden Globe Race are aiming to recreate the historic voyage completed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who set off from Falmouth in 1968.

They do not have access to mobile phones or modern communication systems, but Susie was able to send messages from a satellite pager that were then posted to Twitter.

Some of Susie's tweets after her boat was dismasted gave an insight into how she was handling the ordeal.

At one point she wrote: "This motion is just horrible! Clinging on in my bunk."

Another message read: "That was a looong night."

Susie was the third Golden Globe Race participant to be rescued due to injury or damage to the boat.

Indian skipper Abilash Tomy was rescued from the Indian Ocean nearly 2,000 miles off the Australian coast in September after suffering a serious back injury that he later underwent surgery for.

The Frenchman Loïc Lepage also had to be rescued 670 miles from Australia in October when his yacht Laaland was dismasted.

Out of the 18 racers who set off from Les Sables d’Olonne in July, only eight remain in the race.

French skipper Jean-Luc van den Heede currently remains in the lead; he is also the oldest competitor at the age of 73.