Team Vestas Wind announced on Friday that navigator Wouter Verbraak would be replaced for the Volvo Ocean Race nearly two months after the boat ran aground on a reef.

The Dutchman was on board when the team collided with the reef in the Indian Ocean on November 29 during Leg 2, causing major damage. 

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It has since been retrieved and will be rebuilt ready for a planned return to the race in June for the final two legs.

A team statement said: "Chris Nicholson (skipper) has completed his review, together with the lead sponsor Vestas and sub-sponsor Powerhouse, and the decision has been made that Wouter Verbraak will no longer continue as navigator of the Vestas Wind.

"Team Vestas Wind will be joined by a new navigator in time for the Lisbon stopover and Leg 8 start in June. Team Vestas Wind would like to thank Wouter for his service and wish him well in the future."

Verbraak, in a statement, added: "I am very sad to announce that I have been notified that I will not continue with Team Vestas Wind.  

"I respect Chris Nicholson's decision and wish the team the very, very best of luck with the hard work ahead of them in the Volvo Ocean Race. I would have wanted to help the team getting back in the race again and contribute to their success in the last parts of the race."

The remaining shore and sailing crew will continue to work as integral members of Team Vestas Wind, and will use their skills to assist in the boat repair process.

The boat is expected to arrive on a Maersk Line ship in Genoa, Italy on Sunday and then be transported to Persico's boatyard in Bergamo for the rebuild to start in earnest.

The 38,739 nautical mile (nm) race is currently nearing the end of its third stage from Abu Dhabi and Sanya, on the southernmost tip of China, after 20 days at sea for the six remaining boats.

Dongfeng Race Team (China) currently lead by 50nm from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (0940 GMT).

Victory would make them the first Chinese boat to win a leg in the 41-year-old round-the-world race which is acknowledged in the sport as offshore sailing's toughest test.

It would also give Dongfeng the outright race lead.