Just over a month since leaving Bermuda in his attempt to become the oldest and fastest person to sail solo around the world, Stanley Paris has suffered cracked ribs and an injured left arm after falling from the mast of his yacht Kiwi Spirit.

Despite the pain, Dr Paris is carrying on in his attempt, though he will be sailing “conservatively and gently” until he fully recovers from his injuries.

The accident occurred on New Year’s Day, some 3000km east of Porto Alegre, Brazil, as the 76-year-old sailor was attempting to repair a damaged sail.

The record-setting journey was thrown into jeopardy at the weekend after a South Atlantic squall.

“The wind picked up and I was caught with a light headwind sail, which was in danger of being overloaded,” wrote Dr Paris in his daily website blog.

“On several occasions I had to take the helm. It was a scary situation and no sleep for me.

“Finally at 4am, a gust blew out the sail and torn fabric filled the air with a swooshing sound.

“It was dark and there was nothing I could do but watch the sail self-destruct.”

Come dawn, Dr Paris set about dousing the damaged sail, a task he said was too dangerous to undertake at night.

“While pulling on some pieces stuck in the shrouds, one piece suddenly gave way and I fell flat on my back onto an extrusion of the deck.

“The pain just below my left scapula was in as much as any pain I have ever experienced. I lay still for a few minutes testing my lungs and then started to get going.

“I could feel a rib cracking in my back. Crawling was out, as my left arm could take no weight. A few more actions and I collapsed for several hours in the cockpit.”

Despite the accident, Dr Paris said he was feeling better but was very limited in what he could do with his left arm.

“It’s getting better and will take a few more days before some of the needed tasks on the boat can be attended to. I am now sailing conservatively and gently, until such time as I am ready again and can attend to a number of tasks. Sorry to have to convey this news. I shall be fine, just need take it easy as best I can for now. Regardless — Happy New Year.”