Roman Paszke and team aboard the VO60 have announced their retirement from their recent global challenge attempt.

The Polish crew were forced to make a pit stop in Cape Town on 18 March in order to carry out repairs to their main boom but hoped to continue their journey once it was fixed. However, despite repairs being complete and the yacht having a thorough service the crew have decided not to continue their attempt at setting the first ever, non-stop fully crewed record.

A report from the press office states that safety is the most important factor right now commenting: “In the southern hemisphere the weather conditions are becoming worse in this season. The continuation of the race would be dangerous for our crew. Few days ago Olivier de Kersauson sailing around the world on board of trimaran Geronimo said they were just surviving and If nothing changes, the only thing they’ll be able to do is to run for the north and not round the Horn at all. This dramatic report from the French skipper confirms that the decision of stopping the race of the Polish crew is the right one.”

The team has set sail once again and is heading back to Europe.