British Sailing Team windsurfers booked their places into gold fleets

All British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad iQFOiL Women qualified for the gold fleet, with Islay Watson and Emma Wilson finishing the preliminary stages in the top five of the ladder.

Watson bounced back with first place and second place performances in course races after two discarded results in Weymouth Bay.

The former youth world champion from Aviemore retained the spot she held at the start of day two, heading into the elimination series in the top three.

Conditions in Weymouth Bay tested sailors as a 20-knot wind fired the competition around four longer course races.

“I’ve still got a lot of racing left to do,” Watson said, “so, I can’t be overconfident, but I hope I can hold onto that position for as long as possible. There’s no reason why not.

“The first half was a bit of a struggle, but the second half was really good. The wind was a lot stronger today and it was pretty all over the place. You had to really focus to not crash.”

Defending world champion Emma Wilson followed Watson closely in fourth place, securing two second place finishes for five top 10 performances in the opening series.

Wilson, who had a crash in her second race of the day, reflected saying: “That’s what happens when you send it – sometimes it’ll end up like that.”

Jennie Roberts joined her teammates as the final qualifier for the gold fleet, which will fight for places in the finals series for medals.

Duncan Monaghan continues to lead the British Sailing Team iQFOiL Men, the Nottingham sailor picking up three top 10 finishes to carry seven points into the gold fleet series.

“It was super shifty and super gusty, it was sketchy at times. I quite enjoy it when it’s super-fast,” Monaghan said. “Happy with today and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Former European medallist Finn Hawkins made the top 20, while reigning champion Andy Brown also secured his place in the gold fleet and picked up a second race win of the preliminary series.

Brown said: “First step done, I haven’t gone into the gold fleet in the best spot, but nor is it the worst spot. There’s room to move forward aggressively.”

Matt Barton will compete in the gold fleet, as will all three British Sailing Squad athletes Max Beaman, Boris Shaw and Will Ziegler, after four course races on Tuesday.

Racing resumes on Wednesday with 10 Brits racing in the gold fleets, with the top 10 in each gold fleet advancing to the finals at Weymouth Harbour on Saturday 12 September, with free entry to the Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion.