A pair of Newport-Bermuda race participants ran into difficulties this week while returning to the United States.A crew member aboard Convictus Maximus may have suffered a spinal injury, and the crew of the 41ft sloop Avenir were forced to abandon ship after suffering rudder damage.A spokesman for the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said they were contacted by the US Coastguard yesterday morning regarding the Avenir.“The Avenir, which departed Bermuda two days ago bound for Newport, Rhode Island, reported that vessel had suffered rudder damage in position 230 miles Northwest of Bermuda and was in need of assistance,” the spokesman said.“Unsuccessful attempts were made by the crew to jury rig a temporary rudder with Captain also reporting that some of the crew had become violently seasick.“A decision was made by Captain and crew to abandon vessel.”The cruise ship Norwegian Star, which was en route to Bermuda, was diverted to the yacht’s position and picked up the crew yesterday afternoon.Around the same time, the crew of Convictus Maximus, a 42ft sloop with six persons on-board, contacted the Coastguard requesting assistance after a crew member was injured.The vessel had also departed Bermuda two days ago bound for Newport, Rhode Island. It has since turned around and was last night returning to Bermuda escorted by another vessel, the SKS Satilla.