World champions Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have surged to the top of the 49er European Championship standings in Eckernförde, Germany, with New Zealand claiming two of the top three places after four days of racing.
The defending European champions posted scores of 4, 1 and 2 through the opening day of the finals series to finish nine points clear of Britain's James Grummett and Rhos Hawes. The result is all the more notable given it is only the Kiwi duo's second international regatta of the season and their first since claiming a maiden world title in Quiberon, France, in May.
Just two points behind the British crew sit fellow New Zealanders Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn, who climbed to third overall with an 8, 3 and 3. They have been among the frontrunners since day one, carrying the form that saw them narrowly miss the podium at Kiel Week a fortnight ago. With two days to go, a first European Championship medal together is well within reach.
Day four marked the start of the elimination series for the 49er fleet, with light, patchy winds turning every race into a tactical battle. Reading the shifts and finding pressure proved critical, and the New Zealand crews consistently made the right calls.
Further back, Sean and Rowan Kensington sit 10th in the silver fleet, while Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren recorded their best result of the regatta with a fifth in the opening race to move into 24th overall in silver.
In the Nacra 17, Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart climbed to ninth after their best day of the championship, finishing fourth in the final race to keep themselves on course for the finals series. "We've just been trying to sail to the best of our ability all week," Wilkinson said. "It's been some challenging conditions, we've had a few crashes here and there. If we can just keep on pushing, that's all we can do."
Stewart pointed to the shift in conditions. "Today was very different conditions to the start of the regatta. We had about a maximum of six knots with a more consistent onshore breeze," she said. "We're really happy with our day. We raced really well and came away with a sixth and a fourth."
In the 49erFX fleet, Nicola and Rebecca Hume sit 45th overall after another three races. Racing continues overnight New Zealand time, with the final day of qualifying before Sunday's medal-deciding finals.
