Crew rescued in high seas

Counting herself lucky to be alive yesterday was Asia Pajkovska, one of five in an all-woman crew on the 66ft AlphaGraphics, who was rescued after being thrown overboard on the third leg of the EDS Atlantic Challenge from Portsmouth to Baltimore.

The yacht was under reduced sail and used the engine to return to where Pajkovska was battling against seas whipped up by storm force gales. It took three attempts and 20 minutes to circle the yachtswoman before she grabbed a line and was hauled to safety.

As the Royal Ocean Racing Club takes a close look at his future role in British and international yacht racing, its so-called One Design Regatta, begins in Cowes today.

This one-off marker on its slot in a crowded regatta calendar has become a "Festival of Farr''. All four classes of yacht taking part in the 11-race, four-day series – there are no Sydney 40s – are designed by Bruce Farr. There are 32 of them, with visitors from seven other countries.