Canadian Derek Hatfield dropped out of an around-the-world yacht race Sunday after his boat was damaged in a storm.

Hatfield was at the halfway point in the Vendée Globe when a giant wave upended his boat about 1,600 kilometres south of Australia.

The boat, Algimouss Spirit of Canada, righted itself but its mast became unstable.

Hatfield suffered bruised ribs and an injured leg and is now heading toward Tasmania. He should be there within a week.

Hatfield, the 13th competitor to drop out of the race, had tried once before to sail around the world alone.

The Vendee Globe started Nov. 9, when 30 boats left a French port.