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HAMPSHIRE ocean racer Miranda Merron collided with a whale as she raced across the Atlantic in the Artemis Transat.

The 38-year-old from Hamble hit the whale around 500 miles from the coast of Cornwall as the ten-boat Class 40 fleet raced towards Boston on day four of the 3,000-mile race.

Merron said her yacht 40 Degrees was not damaged in the collision, which took place in the early hours of this morning.

She said: "I don't know who was more scared - the whale or me.

"I was down below at the time, and luckily it was quite light.

"I thought we had hit a boat because of the noise, but then items of gear inside the boat continued on their path at the speed the boat had been doing, before it parked abruptly.

"There was loads of water on the foredeck, and then I saw a whale disappearing in welling water behind the boat.

"It was pretty scary, and luckily not at high speed.

"I checked every part of the boat and I don't think there is any damage, though the whale might have a headache."

Merron is currently in seventh position, 37 nautical miles from fleet leader Giovanni Soldini.

Fifth placed Boris Hermann is two miles ahead of her.

10:31am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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