British yacht Silk Cut has established a narrow lead at the head of the fourth leg of the Whitbread Round the World Race and is threatening to pull away. Skipper Lawrie Smith and his crew are 2.3 nautical miles ahead of nearest challenger EF Language, which is on a parallel course 16 miles to the north.

The good news for Silk Cut's crew is that they have maintained the fastest speed and the gap is already widening over the back-markers. Four-times America's Cup winner Dennis Conner, skippering Toshiba, trailed the fleet after being recalled from jumping the gun at the start of the fourth leg in Sydney, but his crew have battled back into third position, 6.8 miles off the lead. The fleet is expected to complete the 1,270 nautical mile leg to Auckland in five days.

Conner, who is chairman of the Toshiba/Team Dennis Conner syndicate, joined the boat for this 1,270 nautical mile leg of the race from Sydney to Auckland, in an attempt to boost its performance.

Conner, who has won the America's Cup four times, is renowned for his starting ability, but was a little too keen to show his prowess on yesterday.

Commenting on his decision to join the boat he said: "I've been part of this programme for two years, so I don't think anyone would begrudge me a few days at sea.

"I don't think there will be many changes to the way the boat has been sailed in the past, I will still rely heavily on Paul's judgment and his experience," he said, referring to coskipper Paul Standbridge.

Although a high pressure system is expected to give the fleet light winds for the first 36 hours, Paul Cayard is predicting a fast trip to Auckland after that, with stronger winds being produced by an approaching front.

LATEST POSITIONS: 1 Silk Cut, distance to finish 1101.2 miles; 2 EF Language 1101.5, distance behind leader 2.3; 3 Toshiba 1108, 6.8; 4 Chessie Racing 1108.4, 7.2; 5 Merit Cup 1108.8, 7.6; 6 Innovation Kvaerner 1111.7, 10.5; 7 Swedish Match 1111.8, 10.6; 8 EF Education 1137, 35.8; 9 BrunelSunergy 1149.2, 48.