Day 1 in Valencia was a difficult day wind-wise, the conditions weakening through the races, the last two particularly featuring some critical foiling-non foiling incidents.
Diego Botin and Spain’s Los Gallos turned in a top class performance for the home crowd, finishing the first day leading Group B with two wins and a second for 14 pts. Second Denmark’s Nicolai Sehested and Rockwool Racing with a win, a second and third for 12 pts.
In Group A, Tom Slingsby and the Bonds Flying Roos took a less spectacular lead, one win, a second and a fourth for 11 pts. In second is Phil Robertson and Red Bull Italy with two wins and a seventh for 10 pts.
For Dylan Fletcher and Emirates GBR, in Group A, there were welcome signs of recovery, a 4, 2, 5 not really reflecting their efforts, particularly in the third race – a tricky foiling race – where they lost ground in the final leg to Sweden and Australia.
Overall they posted 7 pts to take third, three points off the top two – AUS and ITA – and only one point ahead of the Swiss and Sweden, making it a tough day Sunday for the Brits to qualify in the top 2 to make the four boat final.
Sweden’s Artemis were on the back foot from the start, having to change their Jib in the race 1 prestart period and missing the start.
The Spain Sail Grand Prix Valencia is scheduled to complete from 12:30 BST on Sunday.