Sharp hopes to be the first Briton to win the Vend�e Globe

Jersey sailor Phil Sharp has dropped to 12th position in the double-handed trans-Atlantic Transat AG2R race.

Sharp and partner David Krizek climbed into third over the Bank Holiday weekend, their best position so far.

But on Thursday they fell several places after the southern pack overtook the more northerly leaders with the help of favourable trade winds.

The 2006 Route du Rhum winner's boat Atlantik FT is 102 miles behind the leader with 1,075 miles still to race.

Eric Peron and Miguel Danet now lead the race onboard Concarneau-St Barth.

The 26 yachts set off from western France on 20 April and are due to arrive in St Barts in the Caribbean later this month.