The planned round the Island course for the penultimate race in the Rolex Commodores' Cup was changed on Saturday when strong winds made it more sensible to keep the fleet out of the worst of the weather.

Mohammed Al Marri and Nadir Bin Hendi aboard Victory 1 will line up for Sunday's Russian Grand Prix in Pole Position, after setting the fastest time in Saturday's official qualifying session.

New York crossed the finish line of Race 14 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race in first place on Saturday to claim the overall title in the biennial event.

Friday saw the 45 competitors in the Rolex Commodores' Cup 2008 being challenged by a new course format in the single inshore race of the day.

This weekend Plymouth is being invaded by Dragons from across the UK, France, Ireland, Hong Kong and the USA as they converge on the Royal Western Yacht Club in preparation for their South Coast Championship and the Dragon Edinburgh Cup - the Open British Championship of the class.

The mid-point of the Rolex Commodore's Cup came with the end of the offshore race, which brought more wind and more reaching that expected but left the order at the top of the team rankings unchanged and closer than ever.

The Junior Offshore Group, JOG, has announced a major title sponsorship deal for its new offshore race, the Illingworth Challenge, named after Captain John Illingworth, a founder member of JOG.

Jonny Malbon, fresh from helming Artemis Ocean Racing I to second place in class in last weekend's JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, has joined a number of other teams aiming for the extended deadline of 1 September for his qualification into the Vendee Globe.

Following the launch of the 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race at Earls Court last year, Lord Beaverbrook, custodian of the famous Beaverbrook Trophy, will become the patron of a unique and historic display of powerboats which will feature at the show in November.

Hilary Lister and her team remain weather-bound in Lymington ahead of the planned sail to Portland on Friday, 4 July, although the issues with the boat's electronics now appear to have been resolved.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has taken over management of the former Cowes Inshore Lifeboat service, following a direct request to the charity from the trustees of the independent lifeboat service.

The Rolex Commodores' Cup took on a different complexion on day three both in terms of the racing and the weather.

Jon Eads and Paul Strzelecki were welcomed as President of the British Marine Federation (BMF) and Chairman of National Boat Shows (NBS) respectively.

Sebastien Josse from France, and Mike Golding from Britain have confirmed their participation in The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week on 5 August.

The Spirit of the Event Trophy at the Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race was presented to the crew of GEE, following an action packed race; while legendary British navigator Dag Pike, the oldest competitor in the Race, secured a second success when he came first in Blue FPT.