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Leader Live
29 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Goodchild excited to race on home waters in The Ocean Race Europe
The 35-year-old, who lives in France but calls Falmouth home, is representing Team Biotherm in the 4,500-nautical mile multi-stage offshore race which began in Kiel this week and ends in Montenegro on September 20. The opening leg of the contest docks in Portsmouth on August 14, with the race departing from the Royal Yacht Squadron for leg two three days later. 'I'm definitely excited,' said Goodchild, who is joined in the boat by skipper Paul Meilhat, co-skipper Amelie Grassi, Jack Bouttell and Gauthier Le Boc. 'I have spent a lot of my racing life in France, as that is where the offshore racing world is based, but bringing these really cool boats which we sail around the world into Portsmouth is really exciting. 'I will catch up with some old faces and show them what we do, so I'm really looking forward to it and I am hoping there will be a good turnout!' Sam Goodchild will race in The Ocean Race Europe with Team Biotherm (Image: The Ocean Race Europe) Goodchild is one of seven Brits competing in the race this year but there are no UK-based teams, something he hopes can soon change. 'I enjoy France but I live out there for work,' he said. 'I have been over there for the last 10 years for sailing. 'I come back regularly and I still consider the UK home but being over there helps my career the most. 'If we can have more interest in sailing, more people sailing and more British sailors on the start line, that is definitely the direction I want it to go in.' Goodchild was part of the crew who finished second in The Ocean Race two years ago, a worldwide event. He feels he learned plenty from that experience as he targets success this time around. 'Two years ago, it was my first time sailing those sorts of boats so it was a learning curve,' he said. 'The race lasted six months as opposed to six weeks so it was a bit more of an endurance. 'This time, I have been racing in these sorts of boats for the last three or four years non-stop, which changes the whole scenario, so I am looking forward to the challenge. 'Of the seven crews here, they all have good sailors on and the level of competition will be very high, which is what we are looking for.' Sustainability is one of the key aspects of The Ocean Race Europe and it is also a topic close to the heart of Goodchild, who is aware of the impact taking part in a sport he loves can have on the climate. 'The whole team makes an effort as to what we can do to reduce our impact,' he said. 'We travel around Europe, which isn't great, but we try and do it by train, which takes a bit longer but it is nicer and more interesting. "In partnership with the Tara Foundation, we have also installed a microscope on board to capture microplankton for use by scientists (Eco Taxa Database), who then use and analyse the data. 'It is a big part of our sport at the moment, what we can do to reduce our impact, so we all have to do our bit.' Seven international teams, seven stopovers, 4,500 nautical miles, racing for the ocean. The Ocean Race Europe comes to Portsmouth 14 - 17 August - the city where the race first began in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race.
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Alice Capsey hits overdue Hundred half-century as Invincibles clip Phoenix wings
Alice Capsey's first half-century in 10 innings in The Hundred lifted Oval Invincibles to their first victory of this season after they downed Birmingham Phoenix by 22 runs at Edgbaston. Former Australia captain Meg Lanning swiped 36 off 19 balls in a 76-run opening stand with Invincibles skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill (33), laying the foundations for Capsey to capitalise on the fine start. The 21-year-old has struggled for England in the past 12 months, but she has shone for Surrey recently and demonstrated flashes of her best form back on the biggest of stages in a sparkling 29-ball 52. Paige Scholfield added 25 not out off 16 deliveries as the Invincibles, who lost their first two games this year, posted 174 for five, their highest ever total and the third best in the event's history. Amanda-Jade Wellington, out for a golden duck, took centre stage in the reply, following up a juggling catch to dismiss Georgia Voll (22) with a no-look underarm back flick to run out Emma Lamb (25). In between the Australia's leg spin did for Marie Kelly and Ellyse Perry, who was looking dangerous on 29 before feathering behind, ultimately ending the Phoenix's charge as they settled for 152 for six.
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Real Madrid 'strongly' reject La Liga match in USA
Real Madrid have strongly rejected plans to play Villarreal's La Liga match with Barcelona in the United States, saying it "sets an unacceptable precedent". The fixture is scheduled for 21 December at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica, but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) approved the proposal on Monday to host the game in America. The RFEF will now seek permission from Fifa and Uefa to switch it to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is set to host seven matches at the 2026 World Real Madrid have expressed their "strongest rejection of the proposal" to play the match outside Spain. In a statement, the club, external said: "If this proposal is carried out, its consequences would be so serious that they would mean a before and after for the world of football." The Spanish football supporters' association (FASFE) has also joined Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups to make clear their firm opposition to the proposal, warning they would "take appropriate legal action" if it went ahead. However, Villarreal president Fernando Roig told the club's website the US opportunity is something they "must seize". "We have to expand the brand of our football and of Villarreal CF," he added."Many clubs agree on the need to internationalise and to look for ways to generate more revenue so we can get closer to other leagues, such as the Premier League."Fifa's rules currently do not allow domestic league matches to be played abroad, but last year it set up a working group to explore the matter. Last year, La Liga said it wanted to hold Barcelona's meeting with Atletico Madrid in Miami, before dropping the idea because of time who have won a record 36 La Liga titles, said Villarreal playing their home fixture away from their own stadium would be "altering the competitive balance and granting an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs". Barca are scheduled to face Villarreal at the Nou Camp on 1 March, 2026. "The integrity of the competition requires that all matches be held under the same conditions for all teams," added Real in their statement. "Unilaterally modifying this regime breaks the equality between contenders, compromises the legitimacy of the results and sets an unacceptable precedent that opens the door to exceptions based on interests other than strictly sporting, with a clear impact on sporting integrity and the risk of adulteration of the competition." The club said it had asked Fifa not to authorise the staging of the game without the prior consent of all La Liga clubs, and asked Uefa to urge the RFEF to withdraw the one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent the San Siro hosting the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in February, AC Milan are hoping to play their Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia, as the two events clash. The plans, however, have yet to receive approval from Fifa, Uefa, Football Australia and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
