SAILING NEWS ITEM

Golding Rescues Thomson in the Southern Ocean

FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2006

Alex Thomson, 32, had to abandon his yacht Hugo Boss after its canting keel failed while sailing in the Southern Ocean. Mike Golding, 46, who was 80 miles due west had to go back and fetch Thomson. The two skippers had to set aside their rivalry in the Velux 5 Oceans race for safety reasons.

Exactly two years ago, Thomson pulled out in another race after the base of the mast tore out in almost the same spot. This time, Thomson was sailing downwind when the canting keel failed. Thomson will be staying in Golding's yacht until they reach Fremantle, Australia.

Bernard Stamm still leads the fleet, followed by Golding, Kojiro Shiraishi, Robin Knox-Johnson, Graham Dalton and Unai Barsurko. The Velux 5 Oceans Rac, the toughest and longest solo race, began in Bilbao, Spain last Octover 22. The leaders of the fleet are expected to arrive in Fremantle in December.

Read more about this news story at www.nytimes.com and www.timesonline.co.uk .

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