WEYMOUTH-based Giles Scott advanced to the top of the leaderboard on a truncated second of day of Finn Gold Cup racing in Takapuna, New Zealand.

The defending world champion won the only race of the two scheduled to take the yellow jersey and a 16-point lead into Thursday’s third day of competition.

Ed Wright, the 2014 bronze medallist and 2010 Gold Cup winner, retained overall third with a 10th place.

Light winds and a strong tide on the Hauraki Gulf provided a challenge for the race committee to get racing started, with boats struggling to stay behind the startline before the fleet finally got underway.

“That always puts a bit more pressure on the start,” said Scott. “I managed to stay reasonably clear and had a half-decent lane out to the right side which worked out reasonably well.

“I think I was maybe around 10th at the first mark, but managed to sail reasonably smart from there to the finish.

“I slowly pulled my way back to the front of the fleet and managed to get the Greek guy just before the bottom gate to win.

“It was quite a tricky race with big tidal gains right and big shifts left halfway through, so there was an awful lot to manage but it came good for me in the end.”

Exmouth’s Ben Cornish earned his progression to the British Sailing Team’s Podium squad at the European Championships in May, and is racing just his second Finn class World Championship this week.

He is 12th overall after a 24th place today and is enjoying the different challenge that an 80-boat Finn Gold Cup startline brings about.

British Sailing Team Podium Potential sailor James Hadden is currently 45th overall.

Full results can be found at 2015.finngoldcup.org

Organisers will attempt to catch up with the race schedule on Thursday with three races planned. The final medal race is set for Sunday.

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