Sailing: Dolphin set on raising another pounds 1m

TRUSTEES of the Dolphin Whitbread Race project for the disabled meet in London today to discuss wide-ranging modifications to the structure of the organisation and urgent plans to tackle the job of raising another pounds 1m, writes Stuart Alexander.

With a foot in both camps, Robin Aisher is expected to hear proposals for closer links to the Royal Yachting Association, the appointment of an operations manager, changes to the crewing system, and the abandonment of trans-Atlantic training to concentrate instead on the Round Europe Race.

In San Diego, the America's Cup defence committee has accepted the Dennis Conner and Kevin Mahaney syndicates, but has 'excused' the Pegasus all-woman syndicate. Bill Koch, winner in 1992, could still be added to the defence syndicate list.

Just 2,000 miles separates Alain Gautier in Bagages Superior from the finish in Les Sables d'Olonne and a record for a singlehanded non-stop round the world voyage. Only disaster or perverse weather should now prevent him from winning the Vendee Globe Challenge and beating Titouan Lamazou's time of 109 days.