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For defending champion, Mathieu RICHARD (FRA) the day was more mixed with two early defeats to SIMONCELLI and Johnnie BERNTSSON (SWE) cancelled up by wins in his next two flights. At the end of the day, France's number three in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings seemed satisfied, 'the wind returned well, the conditions were ideal for this first day. The level is very high, everyone has the knife between the teeth. There is still everything to race for.'

Flights were contested in groups of eight, with SIMONCELLI, NEUGODNIKOV, BERNTSSON and JARVIN having raced eight matches, whilst the remaining sailors have each completed four.

After losses to COL and Loïck PEYRON (FRA) respectively, NEUGODNIKOV and SIMONCELLI made the most of their four additional flights winning all of them to top the standings overnight on 7-1.

The round robin is set to conclude today before the final races on Saturday.

Internationaux de France de Match Racing Standings
(After 8 flights)

1. Matteo SIMONCELLI (ITA), 7-1
1. Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS), 7-1
3. Sebastien COL (FRA), 4-0
4. Johnnie BERNTSSON (SWE), 3-5
4. Bjorn HANSEN (SWE), 3-1
6. Loïck PEYRON (FRA), 2-2
6. Ian WILLIAMS (GBR), 2-2
6. Mathieu RICHARD (FRA), 2-2
9. Seve JARVIN (AUS), 1-7
9. Michael DUNSTAN (AUS), 1-3
11. Ian AINSLIE (RSA), 0-4
11. Laurie JURY (NZL), 0-4