SAILING: Autissier is spotted in drifting boat

The French solo yachtswoman Isabelle Autissier drifted aboard her crippled yacht in huge seas south of Australia yesterday as search aircraft shadowed the dismasted boat.

Australian air force aircraft were overflying the 60ft Ecureuil Poitou Charentes II, which Autissier is sailing in the BOC round the world race.

About 100 naval personnel were recalled from Christmas leave to man the guided-missile frigate Darwin, sent from Fremantle, Western Australia.

Autissier, an engineer and marine science professor from La Rochelle, is a veteran sailor who competed in the 1990-91 BOC race.