Gold fleet racing got underway at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères with tense competition across ten Olympic and two Paralympic events.

ISAF Vice President Adrienne Greenwood has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, held in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 1,111 sailors from 59 nations arose this morning, greeted by sunshine and clear blue skies. The one problem, the early morning breeze that has been evident over the opening two days of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères was absent.

The qualification stage at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères has drawn to an end with gold fleet racing on the minds of the world's best top sailors over the next three days.

ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) are encouraged to apply for IOC Olympic Solidarity funding ahead of the approaching deadline.

Right up until the last minutes before the 1,111 sailors from 59 nations head out onto the water in Hyères, France they are busy tweeting up a storm.

As sailors trickled in to rig their boats on the second day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères they were greeted with flags fluttering in a beautiful breeze that will whet their sailing appetite.

Glorious sunshine and a consistent cool spring breeze ensured the 1,111 sailors from 59 nations were spoilt on the opening day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères.