Jason Carrington, bowman aboard Assa Abloy, will not sail leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race for medical reasons.

Carrington, who Yachting World interviewed earlier in the month, has not fully recovered from the urine infection he contracted during leg three, with the latest blood analysis showing he still has a lack of iron. He is also continually exhausted and with the start of the gruelling Southern Ocean passage from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro just two days away, it was decided that he should return to the UK for further tests and treatment.

Neal McDonald, skipper of the boat, was clear about his feelings. “There is nothing more I would like than Jason doing the next leg and it is a big disappointment for Jason himself but also for the team. But we have to be realistic and look at the big picture and consider Jason’s overall health and we need to get him fit and ready for the rest of the race. Josh Alexander will replace Jason for the next leg, he is a top-bowman and a worthy replacement. He has worked with the shore crew and trained with the team since the start of the project in 2000.”

Jason Carrington is devastated. “If I would want to sail one leg, it is this one. But that is impossible. I am not a fit at all at the moment, far from 100 per cent and it is quite clear that I should not sail this leg.”