New Zealand crews are well placed in third and fourth after the second day of the 49er world championships sailed off Marseille, France, overnight (NZT).
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke made the biggest move, jumping from ninth to fourth after racing today. They showed good speed downwind in light and shifty conditions to finish fourth, third and first in the three races sailed today.
It was an encouraging sign from the Olympic silver medallists, especially as the 2016 Rio Olympics are expected to be sailed in light conditions.
They drew level on points with training partners Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski, who started the day in first overall. Hansen and Porebski were third, seventh and ninth in their races.
With 95 boats contesting the 49er world championship, they had been split into three fleets for qualifying rounds. The top 40 boats will now be split into two even groups for the semifinals tonight (NZT) before the top 20 feature in the finals phase which will see short, 20-minute contests raced in roped-off areas.