Sailing: Richards makes move despite Horn hazards

Emma Richards, of Britain, last night gained two places in the Around Alone, the world's longest single-handed yacht race, safely rounding Cape Horn and moving up to fourth place on the fourth leg.

"Rounding the Horn, finally, has been every bit as good as I imagined and better," said the 28-year-old, on board Pindar, having swapped the treacherous conditions of the Southern Ocean for the South Atlantic. "It almost feels like I'm on home turf now. Pindar feels great."

All the boats in the Class 1 fleet, en route to Salvador in Brazil, have now rounded the Horn although the brutal Southern Ocean conditions, including 50ft waves and winds of 60 knots, have taken their toll.

Bernard Stamm, who had been leading, had to make an emergency stop in the Falklands on Wednesday to repair the keel board – which cracked in two – on Bobst Group-Armor Lux. He has rejoined the race but it is possible Richards will overtake him when his time penalty is implemented. Graham Dalton, in Hexagon, and Bruce Schwab, in Ocean Planet, have both suffered broken booms.

Thierry Dubois, in Solidaires, was leading last night with Stamm 200 miles behind. Richards was pressing Simone Bianchetti, in Tiscali, for third place. The first boats are expected in Brazil late next week.