Yachting: Hexagon skipper mans the pump

Hexagon skipper Graham Dalton had to man the pumps after Tauranga's Around Alone yachting entry was flattened by a freak gust.

Hexagon, a close third in the transatlantic first leg of the around-the-world race, took in water through an open companionway hatch and Dalton spent hours pumping out and tidying up.

The boat was not damaged and reports had Dalton in good shape and averaging 20 knots, peaking at 27 knots.

He was just two nautical miles ahead of Simone Bianchetti, sailing Tiscali, but about 250 miles behind Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group Armor Lux.

In second place, and also well ahead of Dalton, is Solidaires, skippered by Thierry Dubois.