Irish experts in maritime survival techniques have trained six celebrities to cope with whatever the sea might throw at them during a treacherous charity voyage for BBC Sport Relief.

After two years of planning and development, a new fleet of round-the-world racing yachts begin the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante this afternoon.

Tens of thousands gathered in Galway at the weekend to witness the final race of the Volvo Ocean Race that staged its finale in Ireland after 39,000 miles and nine ports around the world.

After a tense sprint stage from Lorient to Galway, French first-time entrant Franck Cammas and his Groupama 4 team were confirmed as winners of the Volvo Ocean Race early yesterday morning.

Irish sailor Justin Slattery was lowered overboard 1,700 miles from land or rescue yesterday after Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s hull started to delaminate and required a complex repair operation in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Relatively benign condition off the Chinese port Sanya this morning where the Volvo Ocean race returns to racing appear to mask the what lies ahead for the 6,000 mile fourth stage to Auckland and the halfway mark of the race.

AS the six boats of the Volvo Ocean Race prepare to start the first of 10 legs in this 39,000-mile competition, the crews are bracing themselves for an immediate battering from gales reminiscent of the 2005 race, with widespread damage across the fleet and one boat forced to retire.

Damian Foxall is Ireland’s finest ocean racing sailor. He tells Dan Buckley about the thrills of his trips around the world.

A PHOTOGRAPHER behind one of the world’s most popular posters has died.

CORK businesses carried off two prizes at the Good Food Ireland Awards held at the K Club in Co Kildare yesterday.

THE top accolade in this year’s Good Food Ireland Awards has gone to Rathmullen House in Co Donegal.

Bolton goalkeeper Ian Walker has left the club after agreeing a deal to cancel his contract.

SPORTS Minister Martin Cullen has spoken of the ‘comfortableness of the relationship’ between Ireland and China, a country long criticised for its human rights violations and policies.

Hibernian 3 Bolton 0

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is ready to come to Jose Mourinho’s aid and offer the Chelsea manager the use of one of his goalkeepers.

Burglars raided England striker Peter Crouch’s home while he was playing for Liverpool in the Champions League this week, it was reported today.

Ian Walker has been rewarded for his patience at Bolton by securing a new two-year deal.

Depleted Bolton were forced to make seven changes for today’s FA Cup third-round tie away to Coca-Cola Championship high-fliers Watford.

Bolton 1 Sevilla 1

Besiktas 1 Bolton 1

FINISHING at 0822hrs yesterday, the 98 foot ICAP Maximus broke the finish line of the Rolex Fastnet race first and faces a 22 hour wait to see if the New Zealand based maxi can also win on handicap as well.

IRISH yachts hold places in the top two in all three of the premier classes at Skandia Cowes Week after the first four days.

IRISH rugby fans are more intelligent than punters in other Six Nations countries, a survey found yesterday.

Irish rugby fans are more intelligent than punters in other Six Nations countries, a survey found today.

Goalkeeper Kevin Pressman is the latest player to be shown the door in Leicester manager Craig Levein’s January clear-out.

Leicester manager Craig Levein’s search for a new goalkeeper has proved successful with Arsenal keeper Stuart Taylor joining the Foxes on a month’s loan.

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan continued their pace-setting start to the season as as Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts fired them to a 2-1 win over Cardiff.

Leicester’s dismal start to the season went from bad to worse as Brighton lifted themselves from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win in the Coca-Cola Championship at the Walkers Stadium.

GARY NEVILLE drew on the lessons of Euro 96 to warn England’s youngsters to conserve their energy during the European Championships – or risk mental burn-out.

Alan Smith and Jermain Defoe missed out on a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the Euro 2004 finals as the Swede named his squad today.

Arsenal 2 Leicester City 1

Les Ferdinand hopes to postpone his retirement for another year so that he can try to propel Leicester back into the Premiership.

Blackburn 1 Leicester 0

Manchester United 1 Leicester 0

Manchester United 1 Leicester 0

Leicester 0 Fulham 2

Leeds 3 Leicester 2

Leicester 0 Liverpool 0

Leicester 1 Everton 1

Chelsea briefly closed the gap on leaders Arsenal with a barely deserved 2-0 victory at Bolton in the day’s early kick-off.

When England’s three finest take to the Champions League fields this week, none will have an English keeper – in fact, not one of the Premiership top six has. Simon Lewis reports.

Wolves manager Dave Jones played down the first half flare-up between Alex Rae and Leicester striker Paul Dickov as “something about nothing”, as the teams fought out a goalless draw at the Walkers Stadium.

Premiership leaders Arsenal looked set to at least maintain their seven-point advantage at the top of the table as they stormed into an early lead against Charlton.

TOTTENHAM endured Groundhog Day as they went from 3-1 up to 4-3 down against 10-man Leicester at White Hart Lane yesterday before Jermain Defoe rescued a point with two minutes to go.

Tottenham 4 Leicester 4

Leicester 1 Bolton 1

Newcastle 3 Leicester 1

Manchester United kept up the pressure at the top of the Premiership as they hit Everton for three first half goals at Goodison Park.

Leicester City today issued a life ban to the fan who encroached on the pitch during Saturday’s Barclaycard Premiership fixture with Aston Villa.