Whether searching for a Valentines gift with a difference, looking to raise money for charity, or simply wanting to reacquaint yourself with a love of fitness and the great outdoors, Helly Hansen has the perfect  inspiration for those in search of a new challenge, as its Beauty and the Beast trail running marathon - taking place on the 21st September 2013 - opens for entries on Valentine’s Day.

Due to its overwhelming popularity in 2012, Beauty and the Beast will be relocating to a new venue at West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire, ensuring a greater number of participants will be able to make conquering ‘The Beast’ their must-do adventure for 2013.

At 130 miles south-west of the Azores, Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) has adjusted his course to be closer to Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac Paprec 3) who he has overtaken this morning. Dick is around 40 miles to the east of Thomson, and has succeeded so far, despite the total loss of the keel, to progress without too much difficulty, in weather conditions, which are now building.  The wind rise to 25 -30 knots from the southwest could make the effects of this damage much more complicated to manage.

The sportsmanlike gesture of Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) is welcomed and applauded by many. It demonstrates the true solidarity of the fleet. Solo sailors may endure solitude in the middle of the ocean but learn in the face of adversity that their co-sailors have got their back.

The Canal & River Trust is seeking an amendment to the Growth & Infrastructure Bill which it believes undermines planning protections to its 2,000-mile network of historic waterways.

The Trust has written to the Government setting out its objections to the Bill, and requesting that the same protection be given to its canals and rivers as that afforded to land held by the National Trust.

It is difficult to know for sure what is really happening in the minds of the leading duo. One thing is certain the battle will be bitter to the end. Just over 1200 miles from the finish at Les Sables d'Olonne, the suspense is gripping in the final strait of the 7th edition of the Vendée Globe.

On paper yesterday it looked like this morning François Gabart (MACIF) in the heart of the Azores archipelago, between the island of Tercera and San Miguel, would begin to charge ahead by reaching first the stronger winds from the southwest to whisk him back at a brisk pace to the Vendée.

With a third place finish in the Vendée Globe apparently almost guaranteed, Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec 3) heard his dream break with an abrupt bang before midnight on Monday night as Virbac Paprec 3 lost her keel with just over 2,000 of the 28,000 mile race left.

With a squall coming there was a great risk of capsize after losing the four tonne keel (providing approximately half the weight of the boat and most of its stability) and it took all the experience and expertise of the 47-year-old skipper to avoid the worst.

He managed to ease the pressure on the sails, turn the boat running downwind and fully fill the ballast tanks to stabilise the boat. The immediate danger has passed but he is still very vulnerable.

The island of St Helena in the south Atlantic, now boasts ‘World Class’ moorings, following an eight month project resulting in a high quality and robust mooring field, and marking the development of the island as a base for travelling yachts as well as a yachting destination.

With 23 moorings currently in place and a further two to be installed shortly, the moorings are situated on the western side of James’ Bay and have been professionally designed and specified by marine engineers.

Designed to accommodate yachts of up to 50 tonnes and 60ft LOA, the moorings are based on trot moorings with a long central spine of over 500 metres of heavy ground chain, crossed by a further nine ground chains of varying lengths. 

Barton Marine, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sail and deck hardware, is exhibiting new products for controlling lines from the cockpit at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show 2013.

Removable Mainsheet Track System

The new Barton Removable Mainsheet Track System is designed to span the cockpit when in use and can easily be packed away when moored or at anchor, providing more entertaining space in the cockpit. The removable track is available in 3 sizes and can be used on all yachts up to a maximum of 14.0m (46ft). It has a maximum unsupported length of up to 800mm (31in).

The weekend is almost upon us and for the 12 sailors still in the race they are not thinking about donning their glad rags, or disco dancing, but tacks, gybes and sail trimming.

Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) strengthened his hold on his third place. Yesterday, ahead of the game, François Gabart (MACIF) tacked first followed, seven hours later, by Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire).

Much later, in the Pacific, Bertrand De Broc (Votre Nom Autour du Monde avec EDM) gybed twice on his way to Cape Horn.