Skandia Team GBR in strong position at the final event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup series

Gusts of up to 35 knots hammered Weymouth and Portland yesterday (15 September) at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, but despite the testing conditions Britain and Australia continued to shine with both occupying three top spots at the final event of the inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup series.

Finn sailor Giles Scott leads the table for Skandia Team GBR having posted a 1, 2 in his two races of the day – escalating him to first from yesterday’s eighth place.

Recently crowned European Champion Ivan Kljakovic gaspic (CRO) follows closely behind in second. Brits also lead the way in the Star and Women’s Match Racing events. Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson continue to occupy the top rung in the Star class after another race win today, with Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Dominik Zycki (POL) unmoved in second overall.

Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin also retain their 100% record in the new Elliott 6m match racing class after beating Mary Rook’s fellow British crew in the one match that today’s difficult conditions allowed. The event, and especially today’s conditions, is giving the Elliott 6m women’s match racing crews a chance to get a good first world class test of the boats which were only delivered two weeks ago.

Australia and New Zealand maintained their grip on, respectively, the Men’s and Women’s 470 events. Two second places for Kiwis Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie gives them a massive 17 point advantage in the women’s fleet, whilst in the men’s Mat Belcher and Malcolm Page (AUS) added a win and a second place to their two bullets on day one to stay firmly in control.

Australia’s Tom Slingsby is also clearly enjoying the windy conditions adding another two race wins today to two yesterday to lead the Laser fleet on a perfect four points overall.

Left firmly ashore to observe the windy conditions the SKUD18, Sonar and 2.4mR Paralympic fleets had racing cancelled early on with the 49er class joining them later due to the afternoon’s impossible conditions.

For all results, visit www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk