America's Tim Troy has been forced to admit defeat in his battle to join sailing's 5 Oceans race. He was prevented from starting on 22 October as his 60ft yacht failed to meet safety rules for the single-handed around-the-world competition.
He had hoped to modify his boat but has now given up his efforts.
"I am both emotionally and financially exhausted. You cannot imagine the disappointment I am feeling after working so long and so hard," he said.
As of 1200 GMT on 9 November, defending champion Bernard Stamm aboard Cheminees Poujoulat, was 600 miles off the coast of Brazil and leading the pack into the South Atlantic.
 | I'm getting the feeling that I am almost in a separate event |
Kojiro Shiraishi of Japan was 385 nautical miles behind aboard Spirit of Yukoh but was close to being caught by Britain's Mike Golding, who was only nine miles further back.
Another Briton Alex Thomson, aboard Hugo Boss, crossed the equator late on Thursday night and and is some 260 miles further adrift in fourth.
The race's oldest entry, 67-year-old Briton Sir Robin Knox-Johnston aboard Saga Insurance, was still to enter the southern hemisphere and was lying fifth, 1,712 miles (2,755 kilometers) behind the leader.
"I'm getting the feeling that I am almost in a separate event," said Knox-Johnston, who in 1969 became the first person to sail solo non-astop round the world.
"The boats ahead are too far in front, and Unai [Basurko] is about the same distance behind. I am in a different world with different conditions and the race seems a bit of a dream.
"As for the heat, it's become very hot now, I spend the day sheltering myself from the sun, and when the engine is running it becomes unbearable in the cabin."
Spain's Basurko, who was hampered by two pit-stops, has just passed to the west of the Canaries, 300 miles ahead of Kiwi Graham Dalton on the smaller Open 50.
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