A sailor has died on one of the yachts competing in the Marion to Bermuda Race.

Bill Fasnacht, who was sailing on Class B yacht Legacy V, died of an apparent heart attack on Saturday night.

Crew mates tried CPR for an hour, using the on-board defibrillator and all other methods at hand, but their efforts went in vain as Fasnacht could not be revived.

Michael Wiserman’s 54ft Ketch is now en route back to the United States.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Mr Fasnacht’s wife Betsy Bowman and all of his family, crew mates and friends,” Allan McLean, Marion to Bermuda Race executive director, said.

“We will fly our flags at half mast in his memory and have a moment of silence in his memory before the prize giving Saturday night. We wish safe voyages to all of our other friends at sea.”

The first Marion to Bermuda Race yacht is expected to cross the finish line off St David’s tomorrow.

At last check yesterday the 65ft sloop, Mischievous, led the race for line honours by a comfortable margin and was third among the Class A yachts.

Charles Cahill’s Meriton 65 was sailing straight down the rhumb line at around ten knots and was located 246 nautical miles north west of Bermuda.

Spirit of Bermuda, the sole entry in the Classic Yacht Division, was also making steady headway at last check.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s sail training vessel was 13th in the race for line honours and was located 350 miles north west of the Island travelling at a little more than ten knots.

Sailing among Spirit’s crew is Governor George Fergusson, who is participating in his maiden ocean race.

Forty-five yachts started the 645 mile race last Friday in Buzzard’s Bay, Marion but since then three have retired including Legacy V.

Withdrawing from the race yesterday were Bruce Anderson’s Class A yacht, Free Range Chicken, which broke a shroud in heavy winds and rough seas near the Gulf Stream, and Class D entry Is Fearr Cara, an Island Packett 380, helmed by skipper Ronald Ahlquist, for unknown reasons.