Cumming is one of four skippers to have pulled out of the 2009 OSTAR

Plymouth sailor Rob Cumming has retired from the 2009 OSTAR following storm damage on his yacht Ego Tripp.

The 19-year-old's mainsail and diesel engine were damaged in rough conditions off Land's End on Tuesday night.

Under race rules he was allowed to pull into Falmouth port for repairs but if he had done he would have incurred a 24-hour time penalty.

Cumming was the second youngest competitor in the transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport in the USA.

"The inevitable delay in getting this work done and the fact that the leading boat is now almost halfway to Newport the skipper decided to announce his retirement," said Marten Holden from the OSTAR race office.

"Rob Cumming has impressed us with his determination and sensible attitude and we hope that he will come back in four years time to have another go."

A total of 31 skippers started the OSTAR in Plymouth with three already having pulled out after experiencing difficulties.

Austrian Reini Gelder, French sailor Anne Caseneuve are both returning to port, whilst Britain's Jonathan Snodgrass is already back in Plymouth.

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