Morrison and Rhodes lead six-strong British charge into finals

FORMER world champions Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes lead six British pairs to qualify for the finals at the 49er World Championships in the Bahamas.

MEDAL BOUND: 2007 world champions Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes qualify third for finals at the 49er World Championships in the Bahamas (onEdition)

The British duo were lying first overnight but eventually qualified in third, after a disappointing disqualification from race six was followed by fifth and sixth place finishes.

Morrison and Rhodes ultimately finished on 23 points with Spain's Olympic champions Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez leading the way with 20 and Italy's European champions Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello second on 22.

The Spaniards proved to be the most consistent pair of the final day's qualifying, posting two third place finishes and a second place.

Britain's John Pink and Rick Peacock also suffered a disqualification in race six but made up for it with impressive first and third place finishes taking them to fourth overall.

Compatriots Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith also qualified in the top ten after coming first in the final race following earlier 11th and 13th placings.

Finally, pairs Chris Draper and Peter Greenhalgh, Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign, Dave Evans and Ed Powys ensured a successful day for Great Britain qualifying 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.