The Independent

Financial strife fails to dim smiles at high-flying Rayo Vallecano

This is a club that, despite all it's off-the-field financial problems, is currently flourishing in ...

Hertha Berlin and the Skibbe saga – a depressing tale

Perhaps, in a few decades time, some German writer will transform Michael Skibbe's excruciatingly br...

Top 14: Day of reckoning looms for Racing Metro

By the middle of Wednesday afternoon we should have the first indication of what lies ahead for Raci...

Ben Ainslie escapes penalty after jumping aboard television boat

13 February 2012 12:33 PM

Britain’s top prospect for Olympic sailing glory has come through unscathed following an official inquiry into his disqualification from a world championship regatta in Australia in December.

Telefónica win third stage in Volvo Ocean Race

04 February 2012 04:48 PM

Spains Telefónica became the first team since Steinlager 2 in 1989-90 to win the first three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race when they held off the challenge of Groupama sailing team to arrive first into the Chinese port of Sanya on Saturday.

Sanya rejoins Volvo fleet as race heads for Malacca Strait

22 January 2012 09:16 PM

The full complement of six will be on the start line Sunday in Male in the Maldives, the secret safe haven being used by the Volvo round the world race, for the re-start of the third leg to Sanya on Hainan Island in China.

Women sailors row into record books

22 January 2012 12:04 PM

An all-woman team have completed a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, storming into the record books along the way, organisers said today.

Laura Dekker's feat has caused controversy among Dutch officials, who thought it would interfere with school

Dutch teenager sets new solo sailing record

22 January 2012 12:00 AM

Sixteen-year-old battles seas, and child welfare authorities, to become youngest to sail the globe

British skipper Ian Walker who scored a maximum six points from the in-port race with French boat Groupama

Flawless Walker takes maximum points

14 January 2012 12:00 AM

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing eased the pressure on skipper Ian Walker after two miserable legs in the Volvo Ocean Race by scoring a crushing victory on home waters yesterday.

Ian Walker takes victory at home port in Volvo inshore race

13 January 2012 01:18 PM

For once the dream script came true as Britain’s Ian Walker took the Abu Dhabi entry in the Volvo round the world race to victory in the inshore race of his new home port.

Ainslie defends Oracle cup role

11 January 2012 12:00 AM

Ben Ainslie yesterday insisted that America's Cup commitments will not jeopardise his quest for a fourth Olympic gold this summer.

Ben Ainslie has won three Olympic gold medals

Britain's Ben Ainslie to launch America's Cup team

10 January 2012 11:31 AM

Britain’s triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie will be helping the Americans to defend the America’s Cup next year in a strange hybrid deal announced today at London’s Festival Hall.

Kimberly Lim of Singapore celebrates winning the Optimist world championship in Napier, New Zealand

Sailing pair selected for GB Olympic squad

09 January 2012 01:12 PM

A silver medal at their world championship in Fremantle last month has secured the Olympic berth in Weymouth this year for Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell in the 470 dinghy. It also made Patience the first Scotsman to be selected for Britain’s Olympic squad.

Brian Thompson, arm raised, salutes the Brest crowd

Briton and crew sail round the world in 45 days

08 January 2012 12:00 AM

On his fourth lap of the planet, Brian Thompson beats previous fastest time by a wide margin

Brian Thompson on board the Banque Populaire

French team knocks two days off round-the-world record

07 January 2012 08:18 AM

British yachtsman Brian Thompson was at the heart of a new French record-setting dash round the world which on Friday night broke the 46-day barrier and clipped over two days off the old record. Banque Populaire, a 132-foot trimaran, is skippered by Loick Peyron, who sailed round the world doublehanded earlier this year to win, with Jean-Pierre Dick, the Barcelona Race.

Groupama notch first win of the Volvo Ocean Race

04 January 2012 06:19 PM

Spain’s Telefónica secured overall victory on the second leg of the Volvo round the world race with a strong second place on the sprint finish, but the last word went to France’s Groupama as they notching up its first win of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, snatching top spot ahead of their rivals in the dying moments of the sprint into Abu Dhabi.

Matt Whitfield,14, from Penarth, is highest-placed of the five-strong British team at the Optimist World Championship in Napier, New Zealand

Britain's young Optimists head New Zealand way

02 January 2012 10:03 PM

A Maori war canoe led them out of the haven that is Napier Sailing Club to their appointed battleground. The training was over. The drenching opening ceremony in a memorial to yet another of the earthquakes on these southern Pacific islands could not dissolve the smiles.