Records tumbled at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship with all seven titles decided, Great Britain secured the Volvo Trophy and a new generation of sailing stars emerged in Århus, Denmark.

Cyprus and Great Britain won two titles, with the others going to Australia, France and Italy. Great Britain is now in an unbeatable position in the Volvo Trophy standings and therefore wins the title for the best performing nation at the Youth Worlds for the first time since 1996.

Pavlos Kontides (CYP) became the first ever two-time winner of the ISAF St Lawrence Trophy, presented to the winner of the Boy’s One Person Dinghy event – an incredible achievement considering the sailors to have come closest to it in the past (by winning one gold and one silver medal) are Russell Coutts (NZL), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Dean Barker (NZL) and Dan Slater (NZL). Kontides did not have his best day today, but has dominated the Laser fleet throughout the series to win with two races to spare.

Kontides explained, “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I have won. I can’t believe that two people from my country are in the top ten – that is great.”

The British teams scored a double victory in the 29er fleets. The Girl’s team of Frances Peters and Claire Lasko were delighted to have the gold medal in the bag after the second race of the day. They were disappointed with their performance at the Youth Nationals despite winning the event because they felt they could have done better, but it was a different story this week. Peters commented, “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It is a relief because this is what we have been working towards for so long. Seven hours out on the water in December has finally paid off and it is all worth while now. This is why we did all that training and worked so hard.”

James Peters and Edward Fitzgerald won Great Britain’s second gold medal in the Boy’s 29er fleet (pictured). It had looked like being a final day shootout between the Brits and the USA crew of Judge Ryan and Hans Henken, but the Americans were disqualified from race 13 after a protest from the French team, putting Peters and Fitzgerald into an unbeatable position at the top of the leader-board.

Friday is the final day of the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the 38th edition of the event. One race is scheduled for each event, and although the gold medal winners have already been decided, there are still plenty of podium positions up for grabs.

In the battle for the Volvo Trophy, Great Britain current lies on 336 points, with the last year’s winners Australia climbing up to tie for second place with New Zealand on 304 points. As the GBR 29er crews have already secured at least 12 points in race 12, Great Britain holds on unbeatable lead and tomorrow will lift the Volvo Trophy tomorrow for the third time.

For full results please click here .