Wright edges ahead of Scott as GB dominate in Miami

DEFENDING Finn class champion Ed Wright has edged in front of compatriot Giles Scott as Great Britain continue to dominate at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes regatta.

ON TOP: Ed Wright is in a neck-and-neck battle with compatriot Giles Scott for Finn class gold in Miami (onEdition)

Wright, who secured the overall World Cup title last year, returned to the top of the leaderboard with finishes of first, fourth and third from his three races, with Scott just three points behind.

Indeed, there are no less than seven British sailors occupying podium positions at the halfway stage in Miami as tricky conditions continued in Biscayne Bay.

Lucy Macgregor's match racing crew as well as two-time 470 world champions Nic Asher and Elliot Willis both lead their respective fleets, while development squad sailor Alison Young advanced to second in the Laser Radial.

But while Great Britain continue to rule the waves in Miami, Wright is only two aware there is a long way to go if he is to defend his crown.

"It was tricky out there today, so I was happy to come away with three good results," said Wright. 

"Looking ahead to the next couple of days, it's pretty tough work out there so anything could happen.  I'm not banking on anything just yet!"

Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin are now the only team to remain unbeaten in the Elliot 6m women's match racing event. 

The British trio defeated strong opposition from Australia, New Zealand and the USA but must still face world number ones France before knowing their quarter-final opponents.

In the 470 class, Asher and Willis are in control, courtesy of two race wins and a fourth spot but Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell are 11th with Phil Sparks and Chris Grube one place behind.

In the Laser class overnight leader Nick Thompson endured a disappointing day and slipped to second, having finished 23rd and 13rd while in the windsurfing events, Nick Dempsey is seventh and Olympic bronze medallist Bryony Shaw is fifth.

Sarah Ayton and Saskia Clark are 15th in the women's 470 event, while Dave Evans and Ed Powys remain inside the top ten in the 49er fleet, picking up second, 18th and fifth-place finishes from their three races on Wednesday.

In the Paralympic Sonar class John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas are now second overall, as are Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell in the SKUD class.