FIVE-TIME world champion Tom Slingsby of Australia has moved ahead of Cyprus sailor Pavlos Kontides in the Men’s Laser event after a great second race on the fourth day of action at the Weymouth and Portland course on Friday afternoon.

Slingsby now leads the overall standings with 23 points, five ahead of the Cypriot, who began the day in gold medal-winning position.

Croatia’s Toni Stipanovic, who shares the same coach as Kontides, is third overall with 40 points.

“It helps that I am acclimatised to the area and I have been preparing here so that I can perform as well as possible at the Olympics, said the 22-year-old, who is currently studying in Southampton which is located only 80km away from the racing venue.

In the first race of the day, Julio Alsogaray of Argentina sailed across the finish line first with a time of 56 minutes and 20 seconds, while Kontides and Slingsby ended 12th and 15th respectively. The Australian then dominated the 8th race of the event, winning it with a time of 57m and 28s, while Kontides could only finish seventh, which was enough for Slingsby to leapfrog the Cypriot into the overall lead.

The competition continues on Saturday with the final two races of the regular program, with the medal race scheduled for Monday.

Cyprus Mail