Spirit of Bermuda sailing master Alan Burland has praised the crew aboard the sloop for their swift response to a medical distress call last night.The sloop temporarily abandoned the Newport Bermuda Race at approximately 10.29pm after receiving a medical emergency call from Harbour Radio Bermuda to assist a diabetic seaman aboard the vessel Seabiscuit.After dropping most of her sails, Spirit traveled roughly 65-70 miles up the race course under motor power in response to the distress call in heavy marine traffic.Mr Burland described the actions of Spirit's diverse crew as "phenomenal" and "inspiring".He added: "We had both watches up on deck assisting with dropping the sails and then getting things back underway, which is remarkable and is a real tribute to the crew who responded really well to the incident last night. We have a really great crew onboard."Despite responding first to the distress call, Spirit captain Scott Jackson ultimately determined that there were other boats in the general vicinity of Seabiscuit better equipped to handle the situation."Our captain (Jackson)is a registered EMT and he raised huge concerns about us being the best vessel to respond; he felt there were better assets available to respond," Mr Burland said."There were two large cruise ships (Enchantment of the Seas and Emperor of the Seas) that were traveling faster than us and we appealed to the various authorities that they disptach those vessels and help the seaman."We got very close to the vessel that was in distress but Enchantment of the Seas responded to our general address to the other vessels because we did not have the equipment onboard to meet that seaman's needs. We are certainly appreciative of Enchantment of the Seas for coming to the rescue."Seabiscuit was situated some 75 miles windward of Spirit at the time of the distress call. Seabiscuit crewman Nathan C Owen was reported to be suffering from complications from dehydration,After eventually being waved off the rescue effort, Spirit steamed back to the location she was at when she switched on her diesel engine and rejoined the race under sail, some 103 miles northwest of Bermuda."We will finish the race under sail and apply for redress under a couple of factors," Mr Burland said. "But we are really quite amazed that even after nine hours off of our time we are still in the top third of the fleet."Spirit is among the 166 entries in this year's Newport Bermuda Race.Spirit of Bermuda suspended racing last night to respond to a medical emergency aboard a fellow Newport Bermuda Race entry.At approximately 10.29 pm the sloop received an EGC call from Norfolk requesting assistance for a medical emergency.After it was determined that Spirit was "the most qualified asset" in the vicinity to respond to the situation, the sloop lowered some of her sails, switched on her motor and change course to respond to a "diabetic emergency" aboard the American 46ft yacht Seabiscuit whose crewman Nathan C Owen was reported to be suffering from complications from dehydration,Spirit motored roughly 65-70 miles northwest towards Seabiscuit in heavy traffic before Enchantment of the Seas eventually took over the rescue effort.The cruiseliner pulled alongside Seabiscuit and evacuated the sick crewman aboard the double-handed yacht before continuing to Boston early this morning.Spirit has since rejoined the race after returning to the location where she switched from wind to motor power to respond to the medical emergency.The purpose-built sail-training vessel is competing alone in the new "Spirit of Tradition" Division with a crew of 32.Spirit is expected to make landfall in Bermuda today.