Three consecutive race wins in a single day tells its own story. Spain's Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona put in a commanding performance on the first day of Gold Fleet racing at Hyères, opening up a four-point lead over the second-placed crew.
The 20 to 25 knots and one-metre waves sorted the field decisively. Nineteen teams are competing in the Gold Fleet following the qualification series, carrying their ranking positions forward as points into the standings.
Sitting second are Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris, the most consistent pairing across the fleet so far.
The biggest movers were French duo Manon Pennaneac'h and Pierre Williot, who climbed fourteen places to sit third overall after finishing 17th in qualification. "The conditions today were around 20 to 25 knots, with waves of about one metre. We did three races, and for us it was a very good day because we moved up to third place after being 17th in, so it's quite a big improvement for us," said Pennaneac'h.
Williot was equally upbeat. "We were very fast today and managed to sail really well, so we are very happy. Tomorrow, the goal is simply to have good starts, enjoy ourselves, and keep the speed up."
Another French team also made their presence felt. Matisse Pacaud and Lucie De Gennes, known for their form in high-wind conditions, advanced from 13th to 5th, confirming their ability to perform when the breeze is up.
Two more days of Gold Fleet racing remain, with the top ten teams advancing to the medal series on Saturday.
