Better safe than sorry - that's the motto for Alan Paris and BTC Velocity at the moment.

The Bermudian sailor, taking part in the Around Alone Race, is currently holed up along with his Class II rivals and one Class I competitor in the Spanish port of Bayona as a massive storm rages beyond the harbour.

"I have just heard via another competitor that the storm we are experiencing from land has been compared to the 'Perfect Storm' and the Sydney to Hobart and Fastnet 79 super storms," he said. "The reason being that a late season hurricane, known as Kyle, has combined to form, along with two other low pressure systems, a massive low pressure front spanning a third of the North Atlantic.

"It is truly an amazing monster system of extremely dangerous proportions."

Paris said winds had gusted up to 50 knots in his location with constant winds of 40 knots.

"There have been frequent violent squalls with thunder and lightning," he said. "All the boats in the marina are bouncing around like they were in a rodeo. Constant attention to dock lines is a must so that your or your neighbouring boats do not cause damage."

Paris said he had been told that the storm was expected to subside by tonight and he was hopeful of being able to depart for Cape Town, along with his fellow competitors, tomorrow.