The Royal Airforce Sailing Association yesterday took possession of its brand-new J/109 at the London International Boat Show

Overnight Vincent Riou has taken back the lead from Golding and is currently sailing at twice the speed

The batteries that supply all the power to Skandia's systems including the vital autopilot are failing to hold their charge

Ellen MacArthur is now nearly five days ahead of the global speed record but she's currently suffering with violent squalls just west of the Falklands

Bruno Peyron and his maxi-cat team aboard Orange 2 are currently on standby

Golding takes the lead

After many setbacks Mike Golding takes the lead in the Vendee Globe and is travelling twice as fast as the nearest boats

Ellen MacArthur rounded Cape Horn this morning at 0746 and is still over four days ahead of Francis Joyon's record

5-Oceans Race Bilbao start

The Spanish City of Bilbao has won the bid to host the start and finish of the 5-Oceans Race 2006/07

Eight RS Elite keelboats will be racing at the Royal Burnham YC this summer

Golding breaks halyard

Having worked hard to take second place, Mike Golding is now down to third and up the mast fixing a new halyard

While Vincent Riou revels in his leading position at the front of the Vendee fleet, Jean Le Cam (Bonduelle) has slipped through into second place ahead of Golding

MacArthur nearly five days ahead

Ellen MacArthur, sailing the 75-multihull B&Q, is only 3.5 hours shy of a 5 day lead on her global speed record attempt