Sportsmanship Behaviour

Originally posted by JohnJack This is a pay to sail event. Was it done through a company? If so isn't it their responsibility. Trading standards maybe??

I don't know what the event was specifically, but selling participation in an event is probably much like selling anything else. Selling things to the general public, there is usually a lot of protection for the punters. That varies from country to country. It may be that the OP was mis-sold something, but I can't see the RRS as the route to compensation.
These things are often more or less adventure holidays?
Checking consumer rights might be more useful.
Travel or all risk insurance might cover it, or at least provide/pay for advice.
If paid for by credit card, the card co may provide some sort of cover.

My earlier question about whether it was a pay to sail event seems to be getting some notice now. If you are paying to sail then I imagine for a boat this size it is run as a company. If this is the case then there may be a way to claim some compensation from them. I suspect that they were equally annoyed that one of their crew had to drop out of the race because of a visa issue, assuming you were a "useful addition" rather than just a paying guest.