SAILING:Although certain to remain unofficial until later today, French entry Inis Mor, skippered by Bernard Gouy, was last night expected to be confirmed as the overall winner of the Round Ireland Race that is still on-going today. The 39-foot yacht, sailing for Clifden Boat Club near where the owner has a holiday home, reached the Wicklow finish before sunset on Thursday. On corrected handicap time, Gouy could only be beaten by a handful of boats that were at sea last night when deadlines to beat the French crew expired.

After Green Dragon won the Denis Doyle trophy for taking line honours on Thursday morning, the main bulk of the fleet only started to arrive at the end of the 704-mile course yesterday. All 36 starters are set to complete the course.

– DAVID BRANIGAN