Emily Nagel, the Bermudian sailor, and Team AkzoNobel suffered a major setback on the eve of the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The Dutch team’s final preparations for the round-the-world race have been interrupted by the controversial dismissal of skipper Simeon Tienpont for breach of contract. The race was to be the two-times America’s Cup winner’s third time competing and first as skipper.

Tienpont is no stranger to controversy, having been implicated in the cheating scandal that marred Oracle Team USA’s successful defence at the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco.

The 35-year-old admitted illegally altering one of the team’s AC45s used during the America’s Cup World Series, which resulted in Oracle being fined $250,000 and docked two points in the America’s Cup Match.

A statement on Team AkzoNobel’s website read: “Right now team AkzoNobel is dealing with a challenge none of us ever expected to face. It has been tough, but the sailors and the shoreside support staff have every intention to be on the start line next Sunday for the start of leg one of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The statement added: “The title partner and owner of the team has said ‘Simeon Tienpont’s management company Steam breached its contract to manage the team AkzoNobel entry in the Volvo Ocean race 2017-18.’

“The breach was serious enough for AkzoNobel to terminate the contract with immediate effect and AkzoNobel then took over the full management of the team.

“Simeon was offered the option to continue as skipper but opted not to continue and has left the team.”

The statement added: “AkzoNobel has restated to us its unwavering commitment to our entry in the Volvo Ocean Race.

“The sailing team and management are working together to move forward and find the best solution for the race, which starts in seven days’ time.

“As soon as the new skipper is confirmed we will make sure our sailing fans are the first to know about it.”

Nagel was selected after two months of trials with the Dutch racing syndicate and is poised to realise her dream of competing in the prestigious race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is a global competition formerly known as the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race and is held every three years.

The 11-stage race will be contested over the longest distance in race history, covering about 45,000 nautical miles.