World Sailing Championships in Cascais, Portugal - GBR Day 2

Tornados strike in the Cascais breeze

Day two of racing the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Portugal (Wednesday 4 July) saw a strong opening performance from Laser world number one Paul Goodison, while British Star and Tornado sailors made gains in the building Cascais breeze.

With varying wind conditions and strengths across the four racecourses, it proved a tricky day for competitors in the Laser, Tornado, Laser Radial and Star classes. Skandia Team GBR’s Leigh McMillan and Will Howden made up for a disappointing opening day on Tuesday with a 4,2 from their two races in the Tornado class today.

"It’s a relief to have a good day – as I have always said this regatta will be about being consistent in the shifty conditions,” Howden explained. “We need many more days like today to get us back in the medals, we are very happy with all aspects of our sailing at the moment so there is no reason this can’t happen.

“Tomorrow will be a very testing day on the course with big waves and big wind and we are looking forward to it!!”

Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson improved their standings in their Star class to fourth place overall. They were involved in a close battle with French leaders Xavier Rohart and Pascal Pambeau to finish second in their first race of the day, and managed to pick their way through the fleet back up to fifth in the second race after having to cross back over the startline for being over prematurely.

Goodison, 29 and the three-time Laser European Champion, posted a 3,5 from the opening two races of his regatta to see him into third place overall.

“It was a really shifty, tricky day but thankfully we were on an outer loop course where the breeze was more constant,” Goodison commented.

Charlotte Dobson is the leading Brit in the Laser Radial event, in 15th place after their first day of racing for the class. Dobson posted a 14,6, while Athens Olympian Laura Baldwin saw an impressive third in her first race before receiving a black-flag for a premature start in race two. European bronze medallist Penny Clark held on in her lesser-favoured wind conditions to post a 19,7 and see her in 22nd overall.

Thursday sees the start of racing for the Finn and Yngling classes – Ed Wright will start his campaign for a second consecutive Finn world medal, while Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson with her crew Annie Lush and Lucy Macgregor will be looking to attract the attention of British selectors in their quest for qualification for the Beijing spot.

“Shirley clearly has it all to do – Sarah has the on-form team at the moment, she’s been on the podium at every event this year and Shirley’s had a limited programme for a number of reasons,” said RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park.

“But Shirley’s always at her best, I think, when she’s got her back against the wall and she’s under a bit of pressure to deliver at the big event – and she’s got a record of doing that. Two gold medals are the record and you’re certainly not going to bet against someone who’s got two gold medals in an experience sport like sailing.

“It’s going to be interesting to see whether she’s going to come back here with a bang.”

Racing at the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Cascais, Portugal, continues through until Friday 13 July.