British Golden Globe Race entrant, Robin Davie has announced he will not be taking part in the event, which start on 1 July.
The seasoned circumnavigator said he was struggling to make the necessary preparations in time for the race.
But, Davie, who has completed three BOC Challenge Around Alone Races in 1990, 1994 and 1998, has made a commitment to take part in the 2022 Golden Globe Race.
He is still planning to sail his Rustler 36, C'est La Vie, to Les Sables d'Olonne in France to fit a VDH rig.
Race organiser, Don McIntyre said he was 'very sad' about Davie's decision, but understood why the 66-year-old had decided not to take part.
'Robin has put his all into preparing for this race working 18-20 hour days to get his boat restored and in good shape for circling the globe,' stated McIntyre.
'He is hugely experienced and very practical, and it is a measure of the man that he has taken stock of the situation rather than press on in blind faith and run the strong risk of failure,' he continued.
Davie's decision now means there are 18 skippers left in the race, including the two British entrants, Susie Goodall and Ertan Beskardes, who are both competing in Rustler 36s.
Next month, all of the Golden Globe Race skippers will be in Falmouth for the Suhaili Parade of Sail, which takes place on 14 June.