Sailing: Krantz to keep points after crash

Gunnar Krantz has won his fight to preserve the fourth place he won in SEB on the fifth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Rio de Janeiro.

He appeared in front of an international jury to answer an official protest brought by the Race Committee following a collision with John Kostecki's illbruck, second on the leg and dominant leader overall.

Though SEB suffered greater damage, the committee explained that they had to protest if there was serious damage. It was over the interpretation of the word 'serious' that Krantz based his defence.

The jury could have taken all Frantz's place points or disqualified him, something he could have ill-afforded after a mishaps on earlier legs.

Grant Dalton immediately asked for redress following the decision, and illbruck too could yet ask for compensation.

Continuing back problems have forced Ross Field to step out of his co-skipper/navigator role on News Corp, and he flies to the UK for specialist further treatment. Crewman Steve Cotton has also resigned from the racing crew.