Paul Hubbard’s Bermuda Oyster has withdrawn from this year’s Marion to Bermuda Race Cruising Yacht Race, The Royal Gazette can confirm.

The 65-year-old soon-to-be retired accountant notified race officials that he will not make the 645-nautical mile voyage from Buzzard’s Bay, Marion to St.David’s Lighthouse, Bermuda just prior to the start of the 17th edition of the race earlier today.

Hubbard’s Oyster 435 was due to compete for top honors in Class D and had been in contention for the coveted SAIL Bermuda Ocean Cruising Yacht Trophy, awarded to the boat with the best combined performance in consecutive Newport and Marion to Bermuda Races.

Bermuda Oyster won the Cruiser Division in last year's Newport to Bermuda Race and finished second in Class E during the previous Marion to Bermuda Race held two years ago, the 30th anniversary of the biennial ocean race.

Earlier this year Bermuda Oyster underwent a $50,000 upgrade and had been predicted to do well in this year's Marion to Bermuda Race sailing in heavier winds.

There are now only two local yachts making their way to Bermuda, Jonathan Brewin's Big Bear and Jonathan Baxter's Pond Prowler.

Also withdrawing from the race today was US boat Vivaldi, skippered by Gian Luca Fiori.

Read more in tomorrow's Royal Gazette.