WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Helicopters rescued 10 sailors from a French trimaran that overturned off the east coast of New Zealand on Monday.
Three aircraft winched the sailors from the Groupama IIIafter it capsized about 80 nautical miles (150 kilometres) offthe coast of the South Island and took them to the city ofDunedin.
"All are uninjured and were all dressed in survival gearwhen they were picked up from the yacht's hull," the NewZealand Rescue Coordination Centre said in a statement.
The crew were given medical checks before being released.
The yacht was taking part in the Jules Verne Round theWorld Yacht Race when it overturned in three-metre (10 feet)swells and winds of about 30 knots (56 kmh), forcing the crewonto the upturned hull.
It is not known what caused the boat to capsize.
The alarm was raised by French rescue authorities, whoreceived a signal from the yacht's emergency beacon andnotified their New Zealand counterparts.
(Reporting by Brent Kininmont; Editing by Alex Richardson)