But suddenly we heard a loud pop as a halyard--the line used to hoist the front sail--snapped.

FORBES: Magazine Article

It was then briefly unable to hoist its spinnaker pole until a new halyard could be fixed, and Victory's lead extended considerably.

BBC: GBR Challenge exit

Le Defi was unable to set a spinnaker after rounding the windward mark for the second time, initially because of a broken halyard and then because of problem with the running backstay.

BBC: GBR Challenge exit