Sailing: Golding fights to finish with Jourdain in sights
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A party at midnight was on the cards for Mike Golding and the crew of his Open 60 Ecover as he raced the final few miles to Calais last night. At the end of the 1,850-mile Calais Round Britain race, he was still fighting all the way. Hanging on to a place on the podium in third position, he still had hopes of overtaking the second-placed French single-handed specialist Roland Jourdain, whose yacht has been in his sights for days.
In the lead, by 14 miles, was Vincent Riou in PRB. In fourth place, by seven miles but eating into Golding's advantage, was Bernard Stamm, the recent winner of the Around Alone Race and yet another unlikely example of Switzerland achieving one of yachting's top spots.
A keyed-up Golding was hoping that a tactical decision worked out with his router, Brian Thompson, and navigator, Miranda Merrin, would allow them to a more direct route to the finish as they crossed the Thames Estuary further to the west of the two ahead of him, who were tacking down the Belgian coast.
"We have gained on every single night of this race, which is amazing," Thompson said. "We have not had much weather information recently, so we haven't been able really to fine tune our route."
They were sailing in a 15-knot south-westerly, fast conditions which encouraged another crew member, Graham Tourell, to add: "We are counting on the hospitality of the people of Calais, and looking forward to a really good meal."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments