SAN DIEGO – Stars & Stripes withdrew from its race Sunday on the America’s Cup defender course off San Diego because of apparent structural damage to the hull that caused the boat to take on water.

Young America, skippered by Bangor’s Kevin Mahaney, continued to sail around the course and became the first syndicate to reach the defender finals by completing the course.

Stars & Stripes was trailing Young America near the halfway mark when the damage occurred. A water pump was loaded onto the boat and sails were taken off and put onto support vessels.

Stars & Stripes was put under tow and taken back to shore. The crew used buckets to remove water from inside the boat.

On March 5, oneAustralia’s race boat broke in half and sank off San Diego in heavy seas and 25 mph winds. Conditions Sunday were 12 mph winds and a small swell.