Sailing: Golding holds sway

Mike Golding was set to take Group 4 first across the finish line for the third time in three legs of the BT Challenge last night. With just 24 hours and 250 miles to run of the 1,250 from Wellington to Sydney he had a 10-mile advantage on Chris Tibbs in Concert.

But Tibbs was slightly better positioned to the north of Golding and determined to make up for the disappointment of being dismasted on the second leg from Rio de Janeiro. Making ground was Simon Walker, third in Toshiba and heading for a top three place in all three legs as well as staying second to Golding on combined elapsed times.

Nearing the finish of a complete circumnavigation is the Frenchman Christophe Augin in the 60ft Geodis. He is forecast to win the Vendee Globe single- handed non-stop round the world race at Les Sables d'Olonne tomorrow in a new record time of 105 days, four less than the previous best set by Titouan Lamazou.

Lying sixth, but due to climb higher when given time allowances for his rescue of Raphael Dinelli, is Britain's Pete Goss, safely round the Horn, recovered from performing surgery on his own elbow, and the only competitor in a 50ft yacht, Aqua Quorum.