2026 Olympic Classes Regatta, Day 3: New Zealand sailors close in on medal series in 49er, Nacra 17
New Zealand's sailors are closing in on places in the Olympic Classes Regatta medal series, with four crews sitting within striking distance of the top 10 heading into the final day of qualifying in San Pedro.
The Kiwi charge is being led by Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn, who climbed back inside the all-important cut-off in the 49er after an impressive Day 3 in light, tactical conditions.
The pair delivered New Zealand's first race win of the regatta before adding fifth and 10th-place finishes to move into sixth overall. Just 10 points separate them from the third-placed crew, leaving plenty to play for before the fleets are split for Saturday's medal races.
There is more Kiwi pressure coming from just outside the top 10.
Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush continued their steady climb up the leaderboard with two top-10 finishes from three races. After a subdued opening day, they now sit 11th overall – only three points shy of a medal series berth.
Three places further back, Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren remain firmly in contention in 14th. The young crew underlined their potential with a third-place finish in the day's second race and are just five points outside the top 10.
Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart remain on track for the Nacra 17 medal series. Photo / Tom Walker
In the Nacra 17 fleet, Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart also remain on course for the finals after another consistent day. Scores of sixth, 11th and 11th keep the New Zealand pair inside the top 10 heading into the final day of qualifying.
Germany's Richard Schultheis and Fabian Rieger held onto the overall lead in the 49er despite relentless pressure from the chasing pack, while France's Tim Mourniac and Aloïse Retornaz continued to lead the Nacra 17 standings.
In the 49erFX fleet, Great Britain's Freya Black and Saskia Tidey completed a patient climb to the top of the leaderboard after taking control on Day 3.
The British pair recovered from a difficult second race, in which they were forced to avoid a collision, by winning the final race of the day to move into first overall.
The 49er fleet continues to produce some of the closest racing of the regatta. Uruguay's Hernán Umpierre and Fernando Diz climbed into second overall behind the German leaders, while France's Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin remain third.
Latest results and standings here.
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