British yachtsman Eddie Warden-Owen looks set to lift the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup - for Italy. Warden-Owen was a member of Italy's victorious Cup-winning side two years ago and the Italians are heading for a second successive victory after overtaking the USA.

Warden-Owen is aboard the Italian Mumm 36 class boat `Breeze', which was third in class as the 21-yacht Admiral's Cup fleet began the homeward stretch of the final race - the 605-mile Fastnet.

Italian big boat `Madina Milano' was second in her class behind the USA in `Flash Gordon 3', which had a lead of just seven minutes over Francesco De Angelis' boat.

In the ILC 40 class `Brava Q8' led with Enrico Chieffi at the helm ahead of Germany's `Pinta', steered by Karol Jablonski.

Britain's Atlanta Olympic medallists, Ian Walker and John Merricks, continued their assault on the Mumm 36 fleet with a lead of over three hours as the yachts rounded the Fastnet Rock and embarked on the final leg of the race.

Germany had moved into second place overall, with the USA, who were leading the event going into the Fastnet, slipping into third.

The leaders in the Cup fleet are expected back in Plymouth early this morning, but the Cup will not be awarded until the last boat has crossed the finishing line some 10 hours later.