After 40-mile partial round the Isle of Wight race yesterday, Ireland’s team in the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup enter today’s single final with their overall lead shaved by just five points.

A GAME of offshore snakes and ladders was underway in the English Channel last night as the fleet in the Rolex Commodores’ Cup negotiated their way along a 180-mile course that is expected to last up to 36 hours and finish sometime early this afternoon.