The young brothers Thomas and Matthieu RAHIER (FRA) got their country away to a good start with second, first and sixth placings to take the early lead in the Championships.

Lauren JEFFRIES/Will THOMSON (AUS), currently fill out second overall with a fourth, seventh and first scoreboard, while Matija LONGIN/Pavle KOSTOV (CRO), the lone entrant from Croatia, currently have third place with their eighth, fourth and second placings today.

Winds at Mornington today were in the 9-12 knot range and very shifty, officials managing to get racing away on time at 1200 hours local time.

Others who notched up top three placings in the Sail Melbourne event include Olympic hopefuls in the 470 class, Nathan WILMOT/Malcolm PAGE (AUS) who scored two first placings (one equal with the Rahier brothers), but a 20 in Race 3 cost them dearly, leaving them in tenth place overall.

Interestingly, Wilmot’s younger brother Jeremy, with his crew David STEVENS, is ahead of the older Wilmot in eighth place after scoring tenth, third and seventh placings.

Nathan BATCHELOR/Joe CRABB (GBR) sailed well for fourth place overall, while Italy’s best results came from two crews who currently hold down equal sixth place; brother and sister combination, Giorgio and Daniele CATTA and Stefano CHERIN/Matteo VELICOGNA.

Racing continues tomorrow on Port Phillip Bay off Mornington at 1200 hours local time.

Full for results, photos and details go to the official website