Sailing: Maloney's Vendée hopes keel over

The Brazilian emergency rescue services were put on alert yesterday while a boat was sent from Rio de Janeiro to assist the Cowes-based Australian Nick Moloney after the keel fell off his 60-foot Skandia, ending his participation in the Vendée Globe round-the-world race.

The Brazilian emergency rescue services were put on alert yesterday while a boat was sent from Rio de Janeiro to assist the Cowes-based Australian Nick Moloney after the keel fell off his 60-foot Skandia, ending his participation in the Vendée Globe round-the-world race.

But Ellen MacArthur, a one-time crewmate of Moloney, was making steady progress in the same area in her attempt to break the solo round-the-world in her trimaran B&Q.

Moloney, who was warned by ominous creaking and banging, had stabilised the boat and reduced sail.

Mike Golding, who lay in third place in the Vendée and Jean le Cam are still nibbling away at the 95-mile lead held by Vincent Riou.

MacArthur stabilised her frustrated emotions after recent setbacks, knowing the real hurdle ahead is the Equator and the accompanying system of light winds. She was 11 hours behind the timetable she needs to meet to set a new record, with 4,000 miles to go and her trimaran still making nearly 10 knots.