Spanish reigning World Champion Iker Martinez / Xabi Fernander, fought it out at very close quartes with Norwegian pair Chris Sunby/Fronde Bovim and Ukrainians Rodion Luka/ George Leonewek with the French Pair Marc Aundineau/Stephane Christidis steadly improving race but race to be in contention coming towards the end of the day.

To add to the excitement the Spanish and the Norwegians used their Olympic spinnakers with really stand out, on the fast reaches that Australian Nicholson said yesterday, where some of the fastest he has been on for some time.

The lead bunch where often so tight that misplaced gybe angles coming into the finish determined who got what place at the finish, only in one race did the Spanish get a jump, often they where leading but always they were defending. The crews where having so much fun that after race 3, the Norwegians and Spanish continued blasting off down wind after the finish, so much so that this missed race 4.

At the request of the ISAF Events committee the race format has been changed so that going into the final days sailing, the first two race will be with the top 20 qualifiers, after 3 race, all the places from 20th – 4th will be declared and the top 3 performers will have their scores zeroed and race each other until one boat has scored two first places, at which point he will be declared the winner. The final races (minium of 2 maximum of 4) will be on very short tight courses. Should lead to some intense and exciting racing, and will ensure that the over all winner wins the last race.

Top 6 places out of today’s racing:

1 Ukraine 2,2,4,1
2 Spain (Padroni) 4,6,5,2
3 France 5,4,2,9
4 Portugal 6,7,6,5
5 Spain (Martinez) 1,1,3,DNC
6 Norway 3,3,1,DNC
7 Japan, 8 Italy (Vacondio), 9 GBR (Coates), 10 Norway (Zahre)

Source: Claudio Chiarani / Julian Bethwaite