Sailing: French replace skipper

As the GBR Challenge for the America's Cup packed away its experimental second boat, GBR 78, with the tandem keel gamble – never a likely runner – the French were twirling the leadership carousel yesterday, replacing helmsman/skipper Luc Pillot with Philippe Presti for their quarter-final with Sweden's Victory Challenge next Tuesday.

Also given sideways promotion to the tune-up boat was tactician Sebastien Destremau as crew manager Pierre Mas said it was time to find "the fighting spirit and a positive mood.''

Presti had been ousted in the opening round robin of the Louis Vuitton Cup elimination trials after an internal power struggle with Pillot. Mas asserted that the crew was relieved by the new solution and design co-ordinator Philippe Pallu de la Barriere said the fitting of a new keel and bulb wings, new sails and much improved crew work would greatly improve results.

With a maximum of two races to run, defending champion Stuart Childerley, with crew Simon Russell and Roger Marino, are in a commanding position in the Etchells World Championship out of Gulf Harbour on the Hauraki Gulf. Childerley added a first and a third to make his tally so far three firsts, two seconds, a third and a ninth. He needed to finish only 35th or better in the eighth race today to win.