The team had been sitting in a comfortable fifth place in the race to Victoria with around 4,500 miles to go when high winds struck and damaged the inner forestay, one of the main rigging wires that supports the mast.
All communication systems on the yacht were also brought down.
In the interests of safety it was decided that the crew should immediately divert to Yokohama in Japan, where repairs were carried out.
Clipper Committee member Marcus Ferbrache said that the crew had no other option.