South Africa’s Ian AINSLIE tops the open leaderboard with an 8-1 score, whilst Australia’s Nicky SOUTER remains unbeaten on 8-0.

President Enjoys The Action

Yesterday morning the open fleet took the water with a freshening breeze from the north west. The fleet are located just at the mouth of the river to Crosshaven and the fantastic viewpoint from Camden is providing spectators with an excellent vantage point. ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) was also taking full advantage of another prime location onboard the Committee Boat alongside International Race Officers Peter CROWLEY (IRL) and Alan CROSBIE (IRL).

AINSLIE and the defending South Africa team are pulling ahead with an excellent set of results from their four matches yesterday morning, loosing out to Sweden’s Martin ANGSELL in the first flight but then winning their next three. Russia, helmed by the on form world number six Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV, also went 3-1 yesterday to improve their score to 6-3 and move into a tie for second place with France’s Mathieu RICHARD.

Ireland’s George KINGSTON lodged a red flag protest against Argentina’s Juan GRIMALDI, alleging that the Argentinean team were cross winching, which has been prohibited in the Sailing Instructions. The Jury heard the on the water protest and decided that this race will be re-sailed, provisionally for Friday.

Aussies Edge Ahead

SOUTER and the Australian women’s team added another four wins to their scorecard yesterday, to stay just ahead of the French team helmed by world number one Claire LEROY.

Action from yesterday © Robert BATEMAN

In the Aussies’ last match in flight nine they came up against the Bermudan team skippered by Paula LEWIN. Both had an excellent start but the Bermudan team got ahead. However SOUTER caught up and a tacking duel got underway up to the first windward mark. As they hosted kites and made their way downwind the Bermudan team were left onto port and were luffed up past the mark, then the Australians managed to get ahead. The Bermudans gave as good as they got on leg two but it was not quite good enough to get past the Australian girls.

'We are delighted with our team work,' said Nina CURTIS from the Australian team. 'Our hoists and drops are excellent and definitely helping with our late and early drops to help gain any advantage we can.'

This is the first time the Australian team have sailed together this year. Varying schedules have not allowed the girls to sail together but they all have managed to get some practice on a local member’s J/24 back in their home club in Australia.

The Netherlands, with world number two Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN at the helm, found it tough on the water yesterday, losing to LEWIN, LEROY and the home Irish team led by Mary O'LOUGHLIN.

O'LOUGHLIN and her crew are putting in a terrific performance so far. Entering the event as the lowest ranked team, they picked up another two wins yesterday and lie fifth on the round robin leaderboard.

ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final Results

Open

Round Robin Standings

1. South Africa, Ian AINSLIE, 8-1
2. France, Mathieu RICHARD, 6-3
2. Russia, Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV, 6-3
4. Argentina, Juan GRIMALDI, 5-3
5. Sweden, Martin ANGSELL, 5-4
6. New Zealand, Simon DICKEY, 4-5
6. USA, Brian ANGEL, 4-5
8. Ireland, George KINGSTON, 2-6
9. India, Mahesh RAMCHANDRAN, 2-7
9. Portugal, Helder BASILIO, 2-7

Women's

Round Robin Standings

1. Australia, Nicky SOUTER, 8-0
2. France, Claire LEROY, 7-1
3. Bermuda, Paula LEWIN, 6-2
4. Denmark, Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN, 5-3
5. Ireland, Mary O'LOUGHLIN, 4-4
6. Netherlands, Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN, 3-4
7. New Zealand, Jess SMYTH, 2-6
7. Great Britain, Lucy MACGREGOR, 2-6
9. Brazil, Rossana RAMOS, 0-8

For all the news on the Grand Final CLICK HERE.

The ISAF Nations Cup, which was first introduced to the world in 1991, is based on a series of Regional Finals with the top crews meeting at the Grand Final. The aim of the event is to broaden the availability of match racing and provide international match racing competition for national authorities and sailors at a reasonable cost, whilst acting as an incentive for national match racing programmes.

For a complete list of all the news from the ISAF Nations Cup 2006 CLICK HERE.