SAILING

A winter storm carrying heavy rain, winds and apparently a small tornado tore through the compound of a United States America's Cup contender late on Wednesday, seriously damaging the group's only racing yacht. The Pact 95 syndicate from Bangor, Maine, said its yacht, Young America, which sports a Roy Lichtenstein mural of a mermaid on its hull, was knocked on its side in the large steel cradle where it is stored, causing serious damage to the hull.

FLYING DUTCHMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (St Vincent's Gulf, Adelaide) Leading standings after fourth day: 1 S Majthenyi (Hung); 2 I McCrossin (Aus); 3 D Fagan (US); 4 R Cipriani (It); 5 P Francis (NZ); 6 N Rydge (Aus); 7 H A Konig (Ger); 8 M Krings (Ger); 9 M Dorrer (Ger); 10 B Leckie (Aus).