SAILING:Brisk conditions in brilliant sunshine marked the opening of the much-anticipated Portugal Trophy yesterday as the 19 boats of the Breilting MedCup fleet began their first windy regatta of the series, reports David Branigan .

Eamon Conneely's Patchesended the first day in fourth overall, while Peter de Ridder's Mean Machineproved well-able for the 28 knots of breeze and surf-like conditions to take two first places and the overall lead.

Meanwhile, in Brest,Ireland's Paul O'Rian ended the Figaro single-handed race in 44th place. Michel Desjoyeaux on Foncia was the overall winner after battling though gales for the final stages of the annual event.