Sailing: Dalton extends advantage: New Zealanders rewarded for their endeavours in Whitbread race

ACROSS the equator and into the southern hemisphere, Grant Dalton maintained his lead in New Zealand Endeavour in the Whitbread Round the World Race, writes Stuart Alexander. His nearest maxi rival, Pierre Fehlmann, in Merit Cup, trailed by 50 miles. But separating the two, leading the smaller Whitbread 60s and in second place overall is Dalton's New Zealand compatriot, Chris Dickson, in the Japanese-backed Tokio.

Dalton had seen Fehlmann take the lead for a brief six hours but, in a relieved mood, he reported yesterday: 'Despite having been caught, we are happy with our light-air performance, demonstrated when we were able to sail up to Merit, pass it and now we're in front.

'After the trials of the Doldrums, the crew are in good spirits, and the skipper no longer required medical treatment for stress. All is well with the world and we have been averaging more than nine knots.'

Switzerland's Fehlmann was unfazed by having worked so hard to take the initiative from Dalton only to see his rival push back in front. 'It could have been either one of us,' he said yesterday. 'Now it's like taking a new start, all grouped in a small area. We are now catching the south-east trade winds and are off to a week of heavy heeling.'

Dennis Conner and the crew of Winston have yet to win a tactical breakthrough, and are still, as in the Fastnet Race, being shaded by Galicia. Intrum Justitia reports squalls and a water spout in the Doldrums. Britain's Matt Humphries, on Dolphin & Youth, has lost the use of the weather fax. Their tactic of staying east has never looked like paying off and they are now 280 miles behind Dickson, but only 150 behind the man who started as favourite to lead the 60s, Ross Field in Yamaha.

(Map omitted)