Sailing: Golding has to concede defeat after losing lead

As Ellen MacArthur faced one last weather hurdle on her round the world record attempt, Mike Golding yesterday conceded victory in the Vendée Globe race to Vincent Riou. While Golding was just a few hours away from a bronze medal podium position, MacArthur is 1,000 miles away from completing the fastest solo circumnavigation.

As Ellen MacArthur faced one last weather hurdle on her round the world record attempt, Mike Golding yesterday conceded victory in the Vendée Globe race to Vincent Riou. While Golding was just a few hours away from a bronze medal podium position, MacArthur is 1,000 miles away from completing the fastest solo circumnavigation.

MacArthur was 82 hours ahead of the timetable she needs to beat the record of 72 days 22 hours 54 minutes set by Francis Joyon.

Golding, unlikely at 44 to attempt a third tilt at one of the most demanding ocean races, will tonight join the two men ahead of him, the 32-year-old Breton Riou and Jean le Cam, in beating by over five days the record set by Michel Desjoyeaux in the boat which carried Riou to a midnight victory.

But a little bit of string let him down. When Golding had finally pushed into the lead coming up the south Atlantic, the main halyard, which hoists the mainsail up the mast, broke three times.