Swiss solo sailor Bernard Stamm has been disqualified by the international jury overseeing the race from the Vendée Globe round the world singlehander.

Out in front, it was touch and go for Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats to break its own race record for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race, but in the end it bettered it own time by 17 mns 8 secs to notch up a new time of 1d 18m 23min 12 sec. She also took line honours for being the first yacht to cross the finish for the sixth time, and was so far ahead that she could also win the whole race on handicap despite being, at 100 feet, one of the largest of the 77 starters in the race.

Scotsman Patience continuing to seek selection in the 470 dinghy

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A collision which could have knocked Britain’s Alex Thomson out of the Vendée Globe round the world race has also affected his ability to communicate with his team base as he continues to make fast progress deep south in the Indian Ocean.

And then there were five. Alex Thomson became part of the top five in an overnight reshuffle as the Vendée Globe singlehanded round-the-world race moved into week five.

In a steely fightback that took his opponent by surprise, Britain’s Ian Williams secured a record-equalling fourth world match racing title in Malaysia.

A reverse in fortunes saw defending world match racing champion Ian Williams lose three of his four matches at the Monsoon Cup finale of the World Match Racing Championship in Malaysia.

A perfect opening set of five wins in his opening five races put Ian Williams and his Team GAC Pindar in a strong position for crossing the first hurdle of a place in the quarter finals of the Monsoon Cup in Malaya.

In a major shake-up at the Swedish-backed America’s Cup challenger Artemis skipper Terry Hutchinson has been “released” and British triple Olympic medallist Iain Percy has been made sailing team director.