At the third day of the 29er world championship at Lake Garda on July 19, the fleet enjoyed some close racing in a variety of conditions. Four races were sailed in winds varying from 10 to 18 knots, providing a scenario for John Winning/Evan McNicol AUS and Iker Martinez/Jorge Seeliger ESP to maintain their positions at the top of the results list.

The top 25 crews go forward into the Gold fleet, with eight races over two days, to decide the world champion. The Silver fleet also have eight races, where the competition will be no less intense, providing an opportunity for other crews to take a winner’s gun.

Results after 12 races with 2 discards

1st John Winning/Evan McNicol AUS 18pts

2nd Iker Martinez/Jorge Seeliger ESP 19pts

3rd Scott Kennedy/Lindsay Kennedy NZ 24pts

4th Mike Bassett/Mark Kennedy NZ 25pts

5th Brad Thom/Andrew Burgess NZ 27pts

6th Simon Marks/Richard Goode GBR 38pts

7th Scott Babbage/Tai Elliott AUS 39pts

8th Alex Bernal/Ted White USA 44pts

9th Brendan Garner/Brian Case AUS 50pts

10th Martin Billoch/Mariano Caputo ARG 50pts

Others to form the Gold fleet:

Jonathan Bomitcha AUS 66, Martin Bisi ARG 66, Geoffrey Wooley NZ 68, Allan Norregaard DEN 69, Julian Bethwaite AUS 73, Sebastian Beer SUI 73, Graham Vials GBR 81, Michael Leahey SUI 86, Robert Dean USA 89, Joseph Turner AUS 92, Edward Barney GBR 93, Roberto Bisi ARG 96, Charlotte Odell GBR 107, Michelle Bassett NZ 108, Tom Jeffcoate GBR 109.

Women

1st Charlotte Odell/Suzzie Weddell GBR 107pts

2nd Michelle Bassett/Kate O’Brien NZ 109pts

3rd Jenny Marks/Heidi Mellors GBR 134pts