Sailing: Endeavour in charge

WITH eight of the 14-strong fleet over-eager and over the line at the start of the fourth leg of the Whitbead Race in Auckland yesterday, it was Grant Dalton's maxi, New Zealand Endeavour, that had a slight lead as he renewed his head-to- head battle with the overall leader and first of the Whitbread 60s, Chris Dickson's Tokio, writes Stuart Alexander.

Lawrie Smith was one of those who made a quick recovery but both the Italian yacht, Brooksfield, and the all-women challenge Heineken chose to ignore the recall and will face a 17- minute penalty when they arrive in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The Heineken skipper, Dawn Riley, gave the close attentions of the huge spectator fleet as her reason for deciding not to turn back.

WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE; Fourth leg (Auckland to Punta del Este): Positions (with miles to finish): Maxi Class: 1 New Zealand Endeavour 5,695; 2= Merit Cup, La Poste 5,698; 4 Uruguay Natural 5,726. Whitbread 60s: 1= Tokio, Winston, 5,696; 3= Yamaha, Intrum Justitia 5,697; 5 Galicia '93 Pescanova 5,703; 6 Heineken 5,704; 7 Dolphin & Youth 5,716; 8 Brooksfield 5,717; 9 Hetman Sahaidachny 5,719; 10 Odessa 5,733. BT Results Service