A team’s hopes of taking part in this year’s Marion to Bermuda race have been dashed after the 43ft sloop they had spent weeks repairing broke down on the way to the United States.

Paul Hubbard and his crew on Bermuda Oyster had put countless hours into preparing the sloop for the race after it was severely damaged in last October’s Hurricane Gonzalo.

But the vessel experienced engine problems on the 645-mile delivery trip from Bermuda to Marion and was forced to return home without competing in the race.

“I was pretty emotional as we sailed back into Bermuda,” said Mr Hubbard.

“The crew had worked so hard in getting her ready to race again, so to have to come back having not really achieved what we set out to was difficult to take.

“We had done everything we could to get Bermuda Oyster ready, from getting a new mast and having engine parts flown in from the UK at the last minute.

“However, safety comes first and there was no real choice. Had we been over halfway to Marion we would have continued, but we still would not have been allowed to race with the problems we had.”

Last October the boat, which was on stands up at Dockyard, was seriously damaged during Hurricane Gonzalo.

The problems included a broken mast as well as a small hole in the hull.

Mr Hubbard financed a major renovation project that included a new mast and sails, while his crew worked all hours to conduct the extensive checks and mechanical updates required before taking part in a big race.

“It was pretty glum on board by the time we made it back into Bermuda on Friday morning and we had started to develop problems with the starter batteries too,” Mr Hubbard said.

“I am still hopeful that we might be able to take on the Newport race next year, but there is a lot of work ahead.”

Bermuda Oyster was due to be the Island’s sole representative in the Founders Division of the Marion Bermuda race this year. Neil Redburn, who was going to join the delivery crew in Marion and act as the boat’s navigator, told The Royal Gazette: “It was very much a race against time to get Bermuda Oyster back in the water after all the damage she suffered during Gonzalo.

“A huge amount of work went in to getting her ready, so we are all pretty upset by what has happened.

“It was not through lack of effort that we were not able to take part in this year’s race, but it is extremely disappointing that we won’t be able to bring her home.”