HUSBAND and wife sailors Kevin and Kay Stibbs have vowed not to let the major setback of a broken mast scupper their charity challenge attempt.

They have told of the terror they felt when the 45ft mast of their yacht Draig O’r Mor snapped at sea while they were competing in the gruelling Myth of Malham race.

Mr and Mrs Stibbs, who are members of both Weymouth Sailing Club and Castle Cove Sailing Club, and their crew Helen Middleton-Stewart, Nic Findlay, Albert Deheer, Neal Yeoll and Andy Young put out a pan pan emergency call when the drama struck as they raced from Cowes, Isle of Wight to Eddystone Lighthouse.

Mrs Stibbs, who also witnessed the crew of the yacht Liquid Vortex being airlifted to safety by Portland Coastguard helicopter, said: “The mast went off with a bang, snapping underneath the deck and there was damage to the spinnaker because it was panic stations to get it down.

“It was big rolling waves, we had a freak gust of wind and hit wave and it all went very bad.

“We had to put out a pan pan and motor the 40 miles home under supervision.

“It was a harrowing experience, we’ve got a strong crew but I’ve never been in a boat while the mast was broken before.

“We’re looking at £5,000 to £10,000 to get it all the damage fixed.”

The Stibbs have a particularly poignant reason for competing in this year’s Fastnet Race as they aim to raise £10,000 for Sail 4 Cancer.

Mrs Stibbs was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the 2009 Fastnet Race and after a year of gruelling treatment, the charity gave her family a sailing holiday in Turkey to help get their lives back on an even keel.

Now the Stibbs hope to give something back to Sail 4 Cancer so that others can benefit.

They have already completed a series of Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) offshore qualifying races and racked up 235 of the 300 qualifying miles needed.

Mrs Stibbs added: “The next qualifying race is in three weeks time so fingers crossed it all comes together.

“We’ve had so much support for the campaign that we won’t stop now.

“Only 500 people need to make a |donation of £20 to reach the £10,000 target.”

The 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race starts in Cowes, Isle of Wight, on Sunday, August 14.

To follow Draig O’r Mor’s progress and to make a donation visit draig4fastnet.co.uk