Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark got their gold medal campaign in the women’s 470 off to a solid start earlier today, recovering well from a disappointing first race which saw them finish sixth to win the second race of the day.
In the first race the pair had to take a penalty turn before the start line which cost them valuable time, and although they recovered well they could not force their way into the top five.
But in the final race of the day they showed their true credentials as they ran out comfortable winners.
Mills admitted that nerves from being the last fleet to start racing may have played a part.
“We were a bit nervous and we had a muck up on our first start,” she said. “But we came back from that.
“Our goal for the first day was not to do anything stupid and we did something stupid. But once you do your 360 degree turn then you get on with the day.”
Clark added: “The fleet were pressing really hard to go to the left, but we tacked out of it quite early to get our own clear air.
“Getting a race win was pretty cool, especially at our home Olympics. But now we need to concentrate on getting a consistent regatta.”
Elsewhere Alison Young remains in contention in the women’s Laser Radial after another strong day’s sailing, as she finished sixth and eighth leaving her lying in fifth overall with three races remaining.
Ben Ainslie gave his hopes of securing a sailing Gold a major boost when he performed superbly in the second race of the day in the Finn class at Weymouth.
He will go into the medal race ahead of rival Jonas Hogh-Christensen – the first time he has headed the Dane in the event.
Ainslie conceded a place to his main rival in the first race of the day as he finished sixth, but there was to be no close finish in the second as the Brit romped home to victory.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
