Sailing

Mike Golding has secured continued backing from his Group 4 sponsor to enter both the 1998-9 Around Alone and 1990-2000 Vendee Globe single- handed around-the-world races.

Two firsts yesterday pulled Nick Rogers and Steve Irish up to fourth place in the gold fleet of the 470 European Championship at Nieuwpoort, Belgium, behind Portugal's Rocha and Barreto, France's Philipe and Cariou and Braslavets and Matvienko of the Ukraine.