Sporting Digest: Sailing

THE Whitbread Round the World race competitors are preparing to attack Ross Field in the Omega challenge for the yacht that covers most miles in 24 hours. Field's Yamaha has recorded 343 nautical miles, an average of 14.29 knots. Both the race leader, Grant Dalton's New Zealand Endeavour, and Chris Dickson's second-placed Tokio, have averaged over 12 knots as they break through the 2,000-mile marker to the first-leg finish in Puntadel Este, Uruguay.

WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE Standings: 1 New Zealand Endeavour, 2089 miles to finish; 2 Tokio, 2123; 3 Merit Cup, 2158; 4 Galicia 93 Pescanova, 2196; 5 Winston, 2202; 6 La Poste, 2221; 7 Intrum Justitia, 2228; 8 Yamaha, 2277; 9 Dolphin & Youth, 2448; 10 US Women's Challenge, 2482; 11 Brooksfield, 2651; 12 Uruguay Natural, 2519; 13 Hetman Sahaidachny, 2544; 14 Odessa, 4441.