Sailing: Law still in contention as Beadsworth goes out

Chris Law, with an all-Swedish crew, fought his way through to the quarter-finals of the Swedish Match Cup in Marstrand yesterday, but he faces a tough opponent today in Peter Gilmour of Australia.

Leading the way is Gilmour's helmsman during the OneWorld Challenge for the America's Cup, James Spithill, while stiff opposition will also come from Peter Holmberg, who has Paul Cayard as tactician. Spithill is the only one who can challenge the tour leader, Jesper Radich, for the first prize of $60,000 (£36,000) which will be decided by tomorrow.

Andy Beadsworth was knocked out by the Danish double Olympic gold medallist Jesper Bank, who had also been an America's Cup rival on Sweden's Victory Challenge in New Zealand.

Also heading for Marstrand and victory in the Volvo Baltic Race series was RS, the mainly Kiwi team skippered by Erle Williams. After some tough conditions midway through the 510-mile course down the east coast of Sweden from Sandhamn, Williams fought his way back past Britain's Matt Humphries in Challenge Gant to hold what should be an unassailable eight-mile lead.

RS has steadily lifted its performance as Humphries has seen his advantage cut away in what is a new event for VO60s.