A GROUP of students from the University of Southampton has scooped top honours in a prestigious yacht race around France.

The six students were part of a 14-strong crew representing the British universities' sailing team in the 2001 Tour Voile.

They finished in ninth place overall in the contest, which was held last month, and the entry was the first by a foreign team in the student class of the month-long competition. The Tour Voile, which means Tour de France by sail, is similar to the famous cycle race and takes in the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines of France.

The British entry was organised by the Royal Yachting Association under the flag of the Royal James Yacht Club in order to provide the next generation of British Olympic and America's Cup sailors with experience of world-class events and big boat sailing.