Improving conditions allow British sailors to dominate

BRITISH sailors took full advantage of improving conditions to move into strong positions at the Rolex Olympic Classes regatta in Miami.

ONES TO WATCH: Lucy Macgregor and her crew are looking in-form in the women's match racing event at opening the opening leg of the ISAF World Cup series (Richard Langdon/Skandia Team GBR)

Giles Scott leads the Finn standings after three races, while defending ISAF World Cup champion Nick Thompson looked on-course to defend the title he won in Miami last year in the Laser class by posting two firsts and sixth to move into an early overall fleet lead.

Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin booked their berth in the quarter-finals of the women's match racing event, taking a clean sweep of seven wins from their round-robin matches.  Only the French world number one, Claire Leroy, was capable of equalling that early form.

After a shortened opening day, with many classes confined to shore due to storm warnings, conditions were much improved, allowing for a full day of race action out in Biscayne Bay.

World silver medallists Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell, who won last week's Northern American Championships, continued their recent form in the 470 class - and sit second in the rankings.

"We had a good solid day, with perfect wind conditions," said Bithell.   

"As a team we had three solid counters, three top ten results, which was the aim for the day so we're happy."

Elsewhere, RS:X world champion Nick Dempsey sits third in the men's windsurfing while Olympic medallist Bryony Shaw is sixth in the women's fleet.

In the Paralympic classes, Megan Pascoe lies in third in the 2.4mR event, with John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas also in third in the Sonar event.