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The opening days have seen a variety of conditions in Hyères, with a good thermal breeze peaking at 12 knots on day one. The second day of racing was much lighter, with racing starting in a 5 knot southeasterly, which built slightly, peaking around 8 knots.

After two gold and one silver medal won in the last three years at the Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères, it is no surprise to see SLINGSBY at the top of the leaderboard after 2,1,3,1,4 scores in the opening five races. LEIGH is just two points behind in second place, with 2004 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Champion Nick THOMPSON (GBR) and Athens silver medallist Andreas GERITZER (AUT) also right on the pace. Michael BULLOT (NZL) completes a top five, which with the exception of GERITZER, has a very youthful look to it.

Amongst the other leading contenders, world #3 Gustavo LIMA (POR) lies in tenth place, 19 points off SLINGSBY, with long-time leader of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings and reigning European Champion Paul GOODISON (GBR) back in 16th.

The qualifying series concludes today with two days of gold fleet racing scheduled to decide the final positions on Thursday and Friday.

In the Laser Youth Europeans, Philipp BUHL (GER) leads, just ahead of 2006 Youth Worlds medallists Igor LISOVENKO (RUS) and Emil CEDERGARDH (SWE).

For all the latest news from the Laser European Championship CLICK HERE.