Sailing

British hopes that the middle-size yacht for next year's three-boat teams in the Admiral's Cup would be opened up to a variety of sizes individually handicapped have been dashed at a meeting of the managing committee at the Royal Ocean Racing Club which confirmed that the level rating ILC40s will remain, flanked by the Mumm 36 and a 45-footer.

Rod Carr, the Olympic coach, will succeed the racing manager, John Reed, at the Royal Yachting Association next March. At least two candidates are being considered for the vacant position of Olympic coach.

Simon Walker in Toshiba leads the 14-strong BT Global Challenge fleet by one mile from Chris Tibbs in Concert and Richard Tudor in Nuclear Electric as, and opening blow behind them, they cross the Bay of Biscay, reaching under a gentle north-westerly.