49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 - World Championship 2016 - Clearwater FL, USA - Day 5 - Gold für Besson/Riou FRA

Yesterday, an up to 18 kn breeze building up a short, steep chop made racing again very challenging during the last heats to select the 10 best for today' s Medal Races, and importantly, the US Olympic Team selection in the men’s 49er and mixed Nacra 17. The women’s 49erFX selection series has already been wrapped up by Paris Henken/Helena Scutt, who have a chance to make today's Medal Race.
The defending Champions Billy Besson/Marie Riou FRA finished the Qualification Series with a 48 points' lead and are the premature World Champions, the fourth title in a row, before the Nacra 17 Medal Race today, and this inspite of a broken tiller that forced them to abandon the last race yesterday ! Allen Norregaard/Anette Viborg DEN and Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT, separated by 2 points only, will most likely duel for Gold and Silver today. However, Vittorio Bisarro/Silvia Sicouri ITA 11 points behind might well benefit from the fight and move up on the podium. Luke Ramsay/Nikola Girke CAN are 15th Michael Easton/Katie Pettibone USA sit on 18th. The Nacra daily news.
On the way to their fourth title are also Peter Burling/Blair Tuke NZL in the 49ers. They kept the advance on rank 2 on 28 points after yesterday's three Final Series races, but today, another 3 races are on the program before the Medal Race. With a solid row of top-ten finishes, Delle-Karth/Resch AUT advanced on rank 2, but the chasers are not far behind: Warrer/Thomsen DEN and d'Ortoli/Delpech FRA on the ranks 3 and 4 are still hot candidates for a Medal. Thomas Barrows/Joe Morris USA, now 17th, had the better day of the two USA boats and passed Judge Ryan/Hans Henken USA, 22nd, in the overall standings. David Mori/Justin Barnes CAN are 39th.
With another impressive day (2/1/3), Tamara Echegoyen/Berta Betanzos ESP took the lead in the 49ersFX, 9 points ahead of Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze BRA. Another 9 points behind are the defending champions Giulia Conti/Francesca Clapcich ITA. Paris Henken/Helena Scutt USA currently sitting in 11th overall just four points behind the Medal Race cut will endeavour to join the 10 best in Sunday’s final Gold Fleet races. Erin Rafuse/Danielle Boyd CAN lead in the Silverfleet and are 26th overall. The 49er and 49erFX daily news.
The US Sailing Team Report and all ranking lists.
The crucial Medal Races can again be followed live on the sailing-news homepage today.