The British trio posted 3,1,14 scores to edge into first place overall, although it’s very closely packed at the top of the leaderboard. Sally BARKOW, Carrie HOWE and Debbie CAPOZZI (USA) remain in second place overall, just two points behind Brits, with Renee GROENEVELD, Annemieke BES and Merel WITTEVEEN (NED) one point further back in third.

It was an excellent third day of racing at the ISAF Grade C1 Yngling European Championship in Blanes, Spain, with three races in a steady 8-12 knot southwesterly bringing the series total up to eight races.

Sarah AYTON, Sarah WEBB and Pippa WILSON (GBR) finished third in race 6, scored their third bullet of the series in race 7 before ending the day with a 14th to move into the overall lead. However the Brits were facing a protest at the end of the day, which could affect their overall standing, especially as only eight points cover the top six teams. BARKOW, HOWE and CAPOZZI had an up and down day with 12,2,9 scores to stay second overall, right behind their long-time British rivals.

Behind the top two the battle is particularly fierce as the Dutch and Russian crews continue their national trials for Olympic selection. GROENEVELD, BES and WITTEVEEN lost the overall lead after 9,17,5 scores and are now only five points ahead of the second Dutch team of Mandy MULDER, Brechtje VAN DER WERF and Floortje HENDRIKSEN (NED). The battle between the Russians is even closer after a terrific performance by Anna BASALKINA, Vladislava UKRAINCEVA and Ekaterina MAXIMOVA (RUS) on day three. A second, fifth and first place help them jump three places up the leaderboard to fifth, two points behind their team mates Ekaterina SKUDINA, Diana KRUTSKIKH and Natalia IVANOVA (RUS).

Racing continues on Friday with the final races of opening series to decide the top ten crews who will progress through to Saturday’s Medal Race. The forecast is for a northeasterly breeze of 15 knots, dropping slightly in the afternoon.

Results - click here
Yngling European Championship - http://cvblanes.esportcatala.com