The first day of gold fleet racing sees mixed results
10 June 2011
Day four of the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta (Thursday 9 June) saw the competition step up a level, with Britain’s sailors enjoying mixed fortunes on this first day of gold fleet racing.
Ben Ainslie continued his confident form to extend his overall lead in the Finn class to thirteen points over teammate Giles Scott, John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas maintained the top spot on the Paralympic Sonar class leaderboard, while four further Skandia Team GBR crews are in medal-winning positions with two days of the regatta left to run.Weymouth and Portland continued to deliver ideal racing conditions on this fourth day of World Cup competition, but with racing intensifying there was a shake-up in the overall standings in a number of classes.
G4S 4teen sailor Juan Maegli dropped to 35th place in the Gold fleet rankings in the Laser class, while Olympic Champion Paul Goodison steadily climbed the leaderboard to finish in fifth place.
G4S 49ers Stevie Morrison-Ben Rhodes, who ended Wednesday in second place, dropped to sixth place after a tough day of racing.
Stevie said: “A bit like football it was a game of two halves and in the first half we had put two left boots on, but in the second half we managed a first and a fifth place finish so we kind of salvaged the day. Tomorrow is another day and it is getting to the time when we need to step up to the plate.”
Chris Draper-Peter Greenhalgh are currently in eighth place in the 49er class with John Pink and Rick Peacock leading the class.
Racing at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta continues until Saturday 11th June. For up-to-date results please check www.g4ssports.com , follow G4S Sport on facebook or on Twitter (@G4S_Sport).