Sailing: Light winds slow Golding

Fighting "a state of extreme fatigue" racing towards New Zealand in the southern ocean, Mike Golding yesterday morning briefly snatched third place in the Vendée Globe round-the-world race to break up the leading trio of Frenchmen.

Golding had finally run down Sébastien Josse, but by dawn he was back to fourth as he, Josse and the man in second place, Vincent Riou, all slowed in light winds. The leader, Jean le Cam, was then stretching away but his good fortune was not expected to last long.

Ellen MacArthur was maintaining a near-20 hour lead on the time she needs to achieve to set a new solo round-the-world record in her trimaran B&Q.