He shot to fame as the youngest skipper of a Whitbread Round The World Race at the age of 21 in 1992/3, and Southampton based Matt Humphries continues to go from strength to strength ten years on.

Now skippering the Volvo Ocean 60 yacht Challenge of Netsurvey in the Volvo Baltic Race, he guided the yacht into Sandham, Sweden in first place.

Bright sunshine for the first time in several days greeted the fleet racing in the Volvo Baltic Race as they crossed the finish after what was a gruelling race from Kiel, Germany.

Hoarse from shouting to each other above the strong winds, Matthew Humphries and his rivals could hardly speak when they reached the dock.

Speaking immediately after crossing the finish line Humphries said: "We've had thunderstorms and massive squalls. We were becalmed for just a few minutes last night so we've had a bit of everything. Generally it was very windy and very hard to hear each other. There was a lot of screaming to get sails down when the big squalls were coming. It was a very, very exciting race and we're really pleased with the result."

Results after three races

1 Challenge of Netsurvey: 38 hours 37 minutes ten seconds (20 points), 2 TeamRS 39:05:00 (18), 3 Sony Ericsson 39:46:00sec (13.5), 4 Elanders Ten Celsius 40:21:32 (12.5), 5 Nilorn 46:31:47 (8).

l THE biennial Swan European Regatta starts one week Sunday off Cowes.

Hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron since 1995, it will give Nautor's Swan owners and more than 800 competitors the opportunity for a week of top class competition.

Many local sailors will be pushing for podium positions.