Dalton retires from Around Alone

Second dismasting proves too hard to cope with for Graham Dalton

Graham Dalton, skipper of HSBC-sponsored round-the-world yacht Hexagon, has been forced to withdraw from Around Alone, the 28,000 mile single handed race, following a second dismasting.

Circumnavigating the globe has been a lifetime ambition of Dalton's, who thought that participation in the race along with HSBC's sponsorship would allow him to realise his dream. However, he has reluctantly accepted that there is not enough time before the start of the final race leg to complete repairs.

Sir Keith Whitson, Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings Plc, said: "We're incredibly proud of what Graham has achieved, but this is of course tinged with disappointment for him that he has been unable to achieve his ultimate goal.

"Graham has worked incredibly hard to get as far as he has. He's completed around 20,000 miles of the race, and the finish line in Newport, Rhode Island was agonisingly close. It has been exciting to work with someone who is as committed and determined as Graham."

Dalton is currently in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, having dismasted 250 miles off the coast of Argentina, when Hexagon experienced a "crash gybe".

Dalton, speaking from Puerto Madryn, said: "I'm absolutely gutted that the race is over for me. It was just one of those things and certainly not down to a lack of preparation or attention to detail. I've been saying to the children I've been in contact with through the Global Education Challenge, that you aren't successful because of your successes; you're successful ultimately in the way you deal with failure. Well I certainly have to practice what I preach and I'm now working towards completing my circumnavigation."

HSBC will continue with the Global Education Challenge, the interactive educational website linked to the Around Alone race, as other skippers including the UK's Emma Richards and the USA's Bruce Schwab are involved. Tens of thousands of children from schools in 35 countries across the world are participating in the Challenge.

The current leg of the race, from Tauranga, New Zealand, to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, began on Sunday 9 February. The race is due to end in Newport, Rhode Island, USA in May.

What do you think about this? Will Dalton be repaying the HSBC Education Trust some of their NZ$17 million (roughly £6 million) sponsorship of him? Did HSBC pick the wrong Dalton? Send us your views via Outlook or through a message box .