Double Olympic medallist and team GBR sailor Ben Ainslie enjoyed the challenge of the new conditions at the Finn Gold Cup yesterday in Piraeus, Greece, finishing fifth in the first race, just behind Joao Signorini of Brazil, with Rafael Trujizo Villar of Spain taking the race win. Ainslie then went on to win the next race which puts him at the top of the scoreboard.

The weather provided a good day’s racing for the 93 competitors, who enjoyed two races in a more stable breeze that has been previously experienced, with racing getting underway in 12-14 knots.

Ainslie sailed a perfect race in the second race of the day, scoring his first race win of the championship, and being pushed all the way by Michael Fellman of Germany in second, world ranked number one sailor Mateusz Kusznierewicz of Poland in third and Sebastien Godefroid of Belgium fourth.

After scoring the best day of the fleet, Ainslie moves up into poll position, knocking local hero Emilios Papathanasiou, who could only manage a 14th and a DNF (did not finish), off the top spot. Karlo Kuret of Croatia is second overall with Olympic medallist Sebastien Godefroid of Belgium in third place.

Ainslie commented: “I am really pleased with my day’s performance, the breeze was steadier and I made a couple of good starts and managed to maintain my position to the finish. I will just have to try and keep up this performance.”

Fellow team GBR sailor Charlie Cumbley scored a 10th place and a 30th position to put him in eighth place overall. Team mate Andrew Simpson had a steadier day, scoring two top ten results to see him move up into 12th place overall.

After taking the junior title at the Finn Europeans earlier this month, Chris Brittle is showing his dominance amongst his fellow junior sailors and enjoying a close battle with Marin Mizura of Croatia for the junior world title, he is also currently lying 14th in the overall standings.

Racing continues through until Sunday with a maximum of nine races scheduled.

Results

1, Ben Ainslie, GBR (6,2,5,1) 14 pts

2, Karlo Kuret, CRO (7,4,16,6) 33 pts

3, Sebastien Godefroid, BEL (3,20,7,4) 34 pts

Other GBR

8, Charlie Cumbley (9,5,10,30) 54 pts

12, Andrew Simpson (12,41,8,7) 68 pts

14, Chris Brittle (J) (33,7,19,17) 76 pts

27, Dave Mellor (47,21,51,5) 124 pts

34, Adam Cowling (41,39,27,36) 143 ptsv

46, Matt Howard (37,53,49,37) 176 pts

64, Edward Greig (J) (74,48,67,62) 249 pts