What a week

A round up of the past seven days news

Sunday



Olivier de Kersauson's maxi-tri Geronimo left Brest for the Jules Verne Trophy start line to the north west of Ushant.

Further south in the Atlantic, things were hotting up in the Volvo Ocean Race. At one point illbruck's lead was down to just 16 miles. In a taste of things to come, only 31 miles separated the leading five five boats.

The final day of the International Regatta for the America's Cup class was more of a spectacle than a serious competition with another fleet race around the Hauraki Gulf. Nigel Cherrie sent us the last of his reports with photos by Jon Nash.

Monday

Ben Ainslie brought us up to date with his initiation to the Finn, while Gerald New took a look at the movers and shakers in the National 12 class and brought us a report. We also had the final wrap-up and results from the madfor sailing/ Typhoon Winter Classics series.

In the Volvo Ocean Race. The front five had closed down to just 22 miles. Meanwhile it was confirmed that Orange must wait three weeks for her mast to be fixed.

Tuesday



After a fast trip, the end of leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race turned into a drifting match. Initially the leaders were expected to finish on Monday afternoon and then it was midnight. In the end it was not until 0558GMT on Tuesday that John Kostecki's illbruck finally clawed her way across the Rio finish line to claim their third victory. John Greenland sent us a report from Rio, While Knut Frostad gave us his reaction to a welcome second place.

Following Ben Ainslie's update on his Finn campaign, Peter Bentley kicked off his series examining Team GBR - who the main British prospects are for Athens in each class.

Following her departure in the early hours of Monday, Olivier de Kersauson's trimaran Geronimo had covered 519 miles in a little over 24 hours.

Wednesday



A light wind reshuffle in the very final stages of the Volvo Ocean Race saw Knut Frostad's djuice elevated to second place, while it all went wrong for Dalts' Amer Sports One who came in fifth. From Rio Andy Rice reported on how this would affect the remainder of the race.

Peter Bentley continued his assessment of the prospects for the British Olympic squad, looking specifically at the singlehanders: the Finn, Laser, Europe and Mistral.

Meanwhile it was announced that the mystery sponsor behind Graham Dalton and his turbo version of Kingfisher is our friendly high street bank - HSBC. James Boyd looked at how the new boat compares with Ellen's Vendee steed.

Thursday



Following a successful International Regatta, OneWorld navigator Mark Chisnell sent in his diary giving his take on the Sean Reeves affair.

From the Volvo Ocean Race finish in Rio John Greenland reported on News Corp's arrival at 2155GMT on Wednesday night under emergency rudder.

Peter Bentley continued his review of Team GBR's form with a look at the 470s and the 49ers.

Friday



James Boyd managed to track down Graham Dalton (above), a Kiwi with a famous brother, to quiz him about the hottest Open 60s and multi-million dollar funding from a bank in London.

Leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race reached its conclusion with the arrival of the girls who'd spent most of the night drifting around. Andy Rice reported once again from Rio, while News Corp crewman Gordon McGuire told us about one of the scariest moments of his life.

Peter Bentley concluded his review of the Olympic classes by looking at the hot competition that will be fighting it out in the Star, Yngling and Tornado classes.

Meanwhile out in the Atlantic Olivier de Kersauson was well ahead of his previous record.