Sailing: Richards takes sixth

The American Brad Van Liew was the third skipper to arrive within a day at the end of the third leg of the Around Alone Race in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Van Liew's Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America crossed the finish line in the early hours of yesterday to win Class Two of the race. He was welcomed by Bruce Schwab and Britain's Emma Richards, who finished fifth and sixth in Class One. Richards and Schwab had spent a tough, sleepless day short-tacking down the coastline, waving and talking over the radio, but also remembering that they were competing for coveted points. Schwab's Ocean Planet eventually glided across the line in fifth, just ahead of Pindar.

"I found it hard," Richards said. "But then I caught up with Simone [Bianchetti], only to have my mainsail rip clean in two, and I ended up spending all my time sticking and sewing." Bianchetti's yacht, Tiscali, had finished fourth.