Dutch sailor Annemieke Bes is to leave team AkzoNobel at the end of the month by mutual agreement.

Although disappointed to lose Bes, team AkzoNobel skipper Simeon Tienpont put her exit down to the natural attrition that comes with building any professional sports team, particularly when an individual’s personal expectations aren’t aligned with the team.

“There isn’t a tougher proving ground than the Volvo Ocean Race,” he said. “It’s undoubtedly among the toughest tests there are in team sports. I have to be certain we have the right people in the right jobs at every stage of the forthcoming race and that means it’s impossible to guarantee to anyone on the team that they will sail every leg.

“Therefore, by mutual agreement we’ve decided to release Annemieke, to give her the opportunity to find a team who may be able to make her that commitment.

“Our one goal is to win the Volvo Ocean Race and we are all looking forward to the start in Alicante in a little over one month’s time.”