A breeze for Beadsworth

SAILING

While there were three rousing cheers for three straight wins by Britain's Andy Beadsworth over Australia's Peter Gilmour yesterday, there was disappointment when Stuart Childerley blew a second place for Britain in today's semi- finals of the Vauxhall Royal Lymington Cup, writes Stuart Alexander.

Conditions were again ideal for match racing on the Solent and a brisk display was also put in by the Frenchman, Thierry Peponnet, in beating Chris Law.

Childerley was 2-1 up against the American Ed Baird and contesting the lead in the fourth race. Baird then went hunting for Childerley, and the ploy succeeded as a slight collision cost Childerley a penalty turn and the match. In the next race, Childerley went hunting for Baird, but was penalised again after a collision.

Beadsworth, who twice came from behind to beat Gilmour, ranked three in the world, will be hoping that the speed he is coaxing out of the First Class 8 will not desert him. His opponent, Peponnet, is on form and hungry.