A day when many of the favourites were to be found buried in the fleet, Matt Sheahan and Steve Ancsell review the 4th day of racing

As we motored around the various fleets while commentating live on the action, finding the favourites was particularly tricky. Today, in conditions that were more manageable than the previous two boisterous days, those that had fought their way to the top of the scoreboard during the week seemed to be hacking their way out of the busy middle part of the fleet. Some were unsuccessful and were forced to accept big scores that would count as their discards while others managed to extricate themselves from the melee by the time they crossed the line.

Yet despite the topsy-turvy results in much of today’s racing, many of the top teams still remain in the frame for the medal racing on Saturday.

From a British selection point of view there are hints of who might be going forward to the Games in 2012 and some nervous moments for some of the favourites as they struggle to get to the front of the fleet.

But while there is a keen focus on Olympic selection at Sail for Gold, this is an open event and there are many Corinthian entries among the 62 nations that have entered and that have travelled substantial distances to compete against the world’s best. Our featured interview today is with two South African sailors Matthew Rickaard and Andrew Tarboton who explain why they have travelled so far to compete.

Skandia Sail for Gold – Day 4 Review

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