2010 Semaine Olympique Francaise - The longest day on the water

12:38 AM Thu 29 Apr 2010 GMT

'Brotherton and Asquith (GBR) The 49er's were still on the water at 9PM - 2010 Semaine Olympique Fran?aise, Hy?res, France' Guillaume Durand Click Here to view large photo

It was close to 9PM when the 49ers came back to shore. Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith (GBR) keep a ten points lead on the fleet despite a place of 25 collected on the last Gold fleet race. The 42nd Semaine Olympique Fran?aise in Hy?res counts 20 years since Brotherton's first appearance in Hy?res in 1990 in the 470 class.

French teams lead in the Star and 470 classes. Guillaume Florent and Pascal Rambeau keep the first place in the Star despite a DSQ collected after rounding the wrong mark. Nicolas Charbonnier and Baptiste Meyer-Dieu conserve their lead in the Men's division. Mathew Belcher (AUS) is racing with Will Ryan (training partner) while Malcom Page is competing in the Farr 40 worlds. The new pair, in fourth overall has just won the 470 Spring Cup. 'We are using this regatta to keep developing and improving before the Worlds this summer. We are used to stronger winds but it is a good opportunity to get good in these conditions as well. The hardest thing today was the eight hours wait!'

470 Mens fleet - 2010 Semaine Olympique Fran?aise, Hy?res, France - Guillaume Durand

Camille Lecointre and Mathilde Geron (FRA), sixth in Miami have had a near perfect day with two victories and a sixth. 'We understood the situation on the water but it was hard. The waiting tested everybody's nerves. It is mentally hard. On the water we had good speed and could get away from the group. We will take it easy tomorrow and try to limit the damages! There are still three races to do and the medal race, so everything is still possible.'

Trofeo Sofia Mapfre winner, Byron Kokalanis won both races in the RS:X Gold fleet. He is catching on regatta leader Piotr Myszka (POL) who keeps a narrow one point lead over the lead. Bryony Shaw (GBR) has increased her dominance on the women's division with 13 points over Blanca Manchon (ESP). Laura Linares (ITA) has entered the top three with a win and a third place.

Laser fleet - 2010 Semaine Olympique Fran?aise, Hy?res, France - Guillaume Durand

2009 Laser radial World Champion Sari Multala (FIN) has jumped to first place in the Radial fleet. Paul Goodison (GBR) is keeping the lead in the Laser, the Beijing Gold medallist is returning to international competition in Hy?res after racing in big boats since the Skandia Sail For Gold regatta last year.

In the Finn class, three races were sailed today, more than in the last three days! Marin Misura (CRO), fifth in Hy?res last year, replaces his team mate Kljakovic Gaspic in the top position. He is on equal points with Ed Wright (GBR), winner in Miami and Palma earlier this year and 2009 SWC winner.

After the Repechage stage in the Women Match racing that qualified Claire Leroy and Silvia Roca, the top 8 will sail straight into the quarter final without racing the Gold Round Robin. Pairings will see:
Roca (ESP) vs TUNNICLIFFE (USA)
MacGregor (GBR) vs Hahlbrock (GER)
Skudina (RUS) vs Spithill (AUS)
Leroy (FRA) vs Le Berre (FRA)

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by Effets Mer