As they struggled through technical problems leg after leg, Jersey thought things could only get better as they shot up to second place in the race to Qingdao last week.
But when three other boats declared loose keel bolts, it was decided to divert all crews to Subic Bay and write off the race.
Initially it was hoped that problems could be rectified quickly, for the next leg from Qingdao to Victoria, Canada, to start as scheduled.
However, thorough investigation in the Philippines has revealed that the process will be a lengthy one.
Head company Clipper Ventures plc has said it will cover the costs of sending crews home, although this will not account for the problems caused to other leggers waiting to jet out for their journeys.
