Stricken yachtsman rescued by navy

(CNN) -- A French yachtsman badly injured during the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race was rescued Saturday by an Australian Navy ship around 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) south of Perth.

The frigate HMAS Arunta had been dispatched to rescue Yann Elies after he broke his left leg on Thursday when his boat, the Generali, slammed into a wave, knocking him into the deck.

He had managed to drag himself back into the 18-meter vessel's cabin but had been unable to reach any painkillers, food or water. Race officials had classed Elies as being in a life-threatening condition.

Two crew members transferred Elies aboard the Arunta earlier Saturday, according to the Vendee Globe Web site.

Fellow competitor Marc Guillemot, who monitored the rescue after changing course to check on Elies' condition and provide radio support, said the operation had been executed flawlessly.

"Some highly professional work. They prepared Yann for the transfer. Still heavy swell but they carried out maneuver perfectly. Yann is now aboard the frigate and has a doctor taking care of him," Guillemot reported.

"It was like a dream. It didn't seem real. They took care of that magnificently."

The Arunta's commanding officer, Commander Stephen Bowater said his crew has displayed exceptional professionalism during the operation to reach the French sailor.

"We have proven again that the Navy constantly maintains the ability to respond at short notice to emergency situations," Bowater said in an Australian Navy statement.

Elies is expected to be transferred to a military hospital in Perth, according to the race Web site. A crew from Team Generali was en route to Australia to sail his boat back to southern Australia.

The Vendee Global race, which takes place every four years, is one of the most grueling events in yachting, taking competitors around the tips of Africa, Australia and South America without any stopovers.

Thirty boats started the latest edition last month from the French port of Les Sables d'Olonne but 12 have already abandoned the race.