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After an incredibly topsy-turvy start to the Laser Opening Series, Paul GOODISON (GBR) leads on 33 points after four races. Rasmus MYRGREN (SWE), second in today's race, is tied on points with Brits and lies second overall, whilst Igor LISOVENKO (RUS) is third four points further back. Overnight leader Diego ROMERO (ITA) falls back to eighth after posting at 36th today.

"I was a little surprised to win today," said GOODISON, also the winner of both Olympic Test Events in Qingdao. "I got a nice start and after that it felt almost easy. It was a bit of a one way track with the tide and wind. I'm sorry we couldn't do another race, the conditions were nice," he said of the 6-13 knot winds that gusted up to 14 on Course B.

As conditions on the race course changed so did the leaderboard. Those who perform better in stronger pressure enjoyed better results, although world #1 and medal favourite Tom SLINGSBY (AUS) had another dismal day, adding another 22 finish to his 21, 22, 21 scorecard.

Neither did it suit Julio ALSOGARAY (ARG) who fell from third to ninth overall after a disastrous 28th. Other medal favourites did not fair much better. Andrew MURDOCH (NZL) is in 15th overall after finishing 20th, while Andrew CAMPBELL (USA), the winner in race 3 on Wednesday, dropped to 12th overall with his 26th place.

The top two sailors coming into Friday's race, ROMERO and Gustavo LIMA (POR), have dropped to eighth and fifth respectively.

Race 4 followed an enforced day off Thursday when breezes failed to materialise on a humid summer day with poor visibility. Racing resumed late on Friday, just before 17:00. The original schedule was a 13:00 start, but shifty breezes followed by storm clouds kept competitors waiting. Race officials decided to bring most of the fleet ashore until the dark clouds passed. Due to the late start, only once race was sailed.

Racing in the 43-strong fleet continues with three races scheduled for Saturday 16 August.

Overall Results - click here