Yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, who broke the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2005, has retired from competitive sailing to concentrate on environmental campaigning. She will continue to sail for pleasure.
America's Cup title holder Alinghi has chosen the United Arab Emirates to host the next competition in February, drawing criticism from challengers BMW-Oracle, who say they should have been party to the decision.
Vendee Globe contender Vincent Riou was forced to pull out of the race after losing his mast rounding Cape Horn. Hours earlier the Frenchman rescued fellow yachtsman Jean Le Cam who was stuck beneath his capsized boat.
Vendée Globe contender Vincent Riou has rescued fellow yachtsman Jean Le Cam, who was stuck beneath his overturned boat west of Cape Horn Monday night.
The boat of Vendée Globe skipper Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux) was seen capsised and a second distress mayday signal was received from him. Race organizers told a press conference they believe Le Cam is still alive and under the yacht.
Leader Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) rounded Cape Horn to face a final climb back up the Atlantic to the finish line. Desjoyeaux is now 120 miles ahead of second-placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement).
Unable, by himself, to repair the damage his boat suffered under strong winds on Friday, Sébastien Josse was forced to quit the Vendee Globe around-the-world race. He changed his route and now sails toward New Zealand, closest land.
Britain's veteran Vendée Globe Mike Golding (Ecover) found himself in a squall with winds of 55 knots shortly after taking the lead and dismasting. He is the tenth skipper forced to abandon the Vendee Globe solo round.
Britain's veteran Vendée Globe racer Mike Golding overtook Jean-Pierre Dick in the lead, after the Frenchman damaged his rudder. The leading fleet speeds up toward Cape Leeuwin, West Australia.
Britain's veteran Vendée Globe racer Mike Golding wrested the second spot from Michel Desjoyeaux, who slipped back into 4th. Meanwhile, Switzerland's Dominique Wavre, ranked 10th, was forced out of the race due to a technical problem.
