Yachting: Bianchetti wins Around Alone leg

11.45am

Italian skipper Simone Bianchetti somersaulted from his Open 60 boat Tiscali after winning the fourth leg of the Around Alone yacht race at Salvador de Bahia, Brazil this morning (NZ time).

The 7880-nautical mile leg started with a colourful send-off Tauranga on February 9 and ended the same way for Bianchetti, who was welcomed by fireworks, Samba drums and dancers.

Bianchetti has made a steady comeback from his unfortunate dismasting in leg two of the race off Northern Spain to climb up the rankings in the following two legs. He is now contesting for third place overall with 26 points, probably just one behind Emma Richards on Pindar, who is due to arrive tomorrow during the day.

Switzerland's Bernard Stamm will still lead overall.

"The goal was to bring my boat through the Southern Ocean in perfect condition, and I was 'speaking' to the new mast all the time," a delighted Bianchetti said.

"After Cape Horn everything was good so then I say 'go'! I have come a long way since the dismasting in leg two, and now I am going to begin the next leg fighting for the overall podium."

The Italian revealed he had become a prolific poet at sea.

"When you experience suffering, you learn more about life, and I have been through many troubles in this race. But the sea is my life and from the suffering I have come to understand more out on the ocean, that gives me inspiration to write my poems."

Derek Hatfield on Spirit of Canada and New Zealand's Graham Dalton on Hexagon are still in Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn respectively, working on their damaged boats and considering their options for continuing the race.

- NZPA