America's Challenge skipper Ross Field yesterday admitted he was "surprised, disappointed and angry" after his yacht was forced to withdraw from the Whitbread Round the World Race.

Field, whose yacht finished the first leg in seventh position out of the 10 entrants, discovered that "unforeseen circumstances involving a third party in Mexico" had forced the Californian entry to retire.

The "third party" is believed to have undermined the ongoing financial viability of the yacht's campaign.

Dr Neil Barth, head of the syndicate backing America's Challenge, expressed his sympathy for the crew, who he claimed had "worked tirelessly and put in an excellent effort in the first leg."

He added: "Their professionalism and skill as world class yachtsmen are the greatest assets of this campaign."