Two women were seriously injured as the start of the ninth and final stage of the Volvo Ocean Race was marred by a crash on Tuesday between two boats in Lorient.

The crash happened at 1615 local time (1415 GMT), just before the start of the 960 nautical mile-race to Gothenburg, via a 24-hour stopover in The Hague.

A catamaran crashed with an organiser's boat with four people aboard.

A woman suffered a serious leg injury, according to the maritime police in Brest, and was evacuated by helicopter.

An AFP photographer at the site said one or two people were knocked off the catamaran and into the sea, with one woman seriously injured.

Once the race started, 45 minutes after the crash, Spaniards MAPFRE got off to the best start as Team SCA and Team Alvimedica were penalised for flying starts.

However, after five laps of the bay, it was Team Brunel who had taken control as the boats headed off for The Hague.

Any two of five boats could grab the final pair of podium positions after Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, skippered by Briton Ian Walker, opened up an unassailable eight-point lead upon their arrival in France last week.

Team Brunel are currently in second place on 27 points, two clear of Dongfeng Race Team, and four ahead of MAPFRE. Meanwhile, fifth-placed Team Alvimedica, who have 33 points, still hold a slim chance of grabbing a spot should they score victory in leg nine.

The boats are expected to arrive in The Hague on Friday before leaving again on Saturday and reaching Gothenburg on Monday.

Latest standings (after 8 of 9 legs, lowest points wins, in-port series breaks tie-breaks): 1) Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 19 pts, 2) Team Brunel (Netherlands) 27, 3) Dongfeng Race Team (China) 29, 4) MAPFRE (Spain) 31, 5) Team Alvimedica (Turkey/U.S.) 33, 6) Team SCA (Sweden) 44, 7) Team Vestas Wind (Denmark) 54.
Source: AFP