Two collisions force 3 TP52's to retire at the Marseille Trophy

The details are still unclear but it appears that two collisions took place at the first weather mark of today's coastal race, forcing three boats, Matador, Caixa Galicia and Mutua Madrileña, to retire and head back to port.

Caixa Galicia hit Mutua Madrilena whilst trying at the last minute to take avoiding action when Rusal came in hard on port with nowhere to go.

In a separate collision, Matador was hit in a port-starboard crossing when the mainsheet on Mean Machine did not get released.

Caixa Galicia collides with Mutua Madrileña at the weather mark. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget

The bow of Caixa Galicia, damaged after colliding with Mutua Madrileña at the weather mark. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Enrico Fager / AUDI Medcup

Vasco Vascotto, skipper and helmsman of Mutua Madrileña, checking the damage on his boat. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Enrico Fager / AUDI Medcup