The Spirit of Bermuda was forced to withdraw from the Bermuda to Charleston leg of the Tall Ship Atlantic Challenge.

On Sunday the ship pulled out of the race because it needed to get to Savannah, Georgia in order to make necessary repairs to the ship before the Charleston to Boston leg began.

The repairs were always planned and the Spirit had hoped favourable wind conditions would mean they could finish the Bermuda to Charleston leg before heading for repairs.

Captain Simon Colley said: "It was with great disappointment that we retired from this leg of the race.

At the time we were the Tall Ship closest to Charleston, with Pride of Baltimore and Urania neck and neck, eight miles southwest of us, on the same tack.

We have enjoyed this leg very much with its daily changes in positions, on the water and corrected time and the whole crew has been striving daily to keep Spirit competitive in a range of conditions.

"We plan to complete repairs in time for the start of the next leg to Boston."

The ship will be hauled out so the stern tube seal can be repaired.

The seal keeps water out of the ship where the shaft connects the propeller to the engine.

Currently the rest of the fleet, which left Bermuda on June 15, have crossed the finish line in Charleston or are expected to do so today.

Meanwhile, Kruzenshtern, the Russian ship which pulled out of the race last week due to a broken mast has arrived in Charleston.

It is hoped repairs will be done in time for her to compete in the next leg.