The OSTAR Race office has reported the Egotripp, skippered by 19 year old
At 1530 today 1st June Rob Cumming notified the Race Office of his retirement from the race.
The 19 year old from Plymouth fought a gallant battle, against all odds, to get his boat ready for the start a week ago.
He set off with high hopes but the harsh conditions experienced during the first three days of the race soon began to show up the lack of time to get the boat fully prepared for an Atlantic crossing. Engine problems and power failure combined with a torn mainsail gave him little option but to return to shore to sort out these problems. On the way back to Falmouth Rob lost the use of both his auto pilots and had to hand steer for more than 24 hours. On further inspection in Falmouth he discovered the packing under the mast foot had shifted. He arrived in Plymouth today to try and sort the mast problem and to get his auto pilots repaired. The inevitable delay in getting this work done and the fact that the leading boat is now almost halfway to Newport finally decided the skipper to announce his retirement.
Rob Cumming has impressed us with his determination and sensible attitude and we hope that he will come back in four years time to have another go.