2026 Olympic Classes Regatta, Day 2: New Zealand 49er pair Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren make their move in San Pedro

Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren made their move on the second day of the Olympic Classes Regatta in San Pedro, climbing six places into the top 10 of the star-studded 49er fleet to lead the Kiwi charge at the Los Angeles 2028 venue.

The former 49er junior world championship silver medallists thrived in lighter, more unpredictable conditions, producing one of the standout performances of the day. They opened with a second-place finish before adding a sixth and 13th to end the day 8th overall after six races.

Fellow New Zealand crew Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn remain firmly in contention, sitting 11th overall after slipping four places from seventh. They are just 10 points behind Kayrouz and McLaren.

Defending world and European champions Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush also moved in the right direction, climbing five places to 15th overall. They are the top-placed under-23 team and just 11 points outside the top 10 heading into the third day of racing.

Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren have broken into the top-10 after two days in San Pedro. Photo / Lisa Bronitt

In the Nacra 17 fleet, Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart climbed to eighth overall after another consistent day. Back-to-back eighth-place finishes, followed by a regatta-best fourth in the final race, lifted the Kiwi combination further up the leaderboard as they continue their push towards medal contention.

The second day presented a completely different challenge to competitors, with lighter and less predictable winds replacing the stronger sea breeze experienced on the opening day. The changing conditions demanded patience, adaptability and strong decision-making, qualities that proved crucial across both fleets.

Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart enjoyed another strong performance in the Nacra 17. Photo / Lexi Pline

The 49er fleet remains tightly packed after six races. Germany's Richard Schultheis and Fabian Rieger continue to lead overall, while Australia's Harry Price and Max Paul climbed into second ahead of France's Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin.

The Nacra 17 leaderboard continues to be headed by France's Tim Mourniac and Aloïse Retornaz, with Australia's Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown moving into second ahead of Sweden's Emil Järudd and Hanna Jonsson.

With two days complete, competitors have now experienced two vastly different versions of the LA2028 Olympic racecourse, providing valuable insight into the conditions they could face when the Games return to Los Angeles.

Racing continues through to Saturday.

Latest results and standings here.