his finger after getting it trapped in a sail.

William Vancliffe had to be rushed from the 44 foot Cygnette as it sailed through the Great Sound at about 4.25 p.m.

He was taken at speed to the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, where an ambulance was waiting to transfer him to King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Talbot Wilson, spokesman for the Newport to Bermuda Race, of which the Onion Patch series is a part, said Mr. Vancliffe lost the tip of his left index finger and it had not been re-attached.