ISAF Sailing World Cup - Sail Melbourne Day 2

12:08 PM Wed 17 Dec 2008 GMT

'David McDiarmid and Andrew Archibald (NZL) 49ers - Sail Melbourne 2008' Brett Crockford /Sport the Library

Sandringham Yacht club member Warwick Hill took one step closer to becoming known as a 'flying Finn' after Day 2 of the ISAF Sailing World Cup - Sail Melbourne action today.

The 21-year-old Finn sailor, who recently completed a Bachelor of Technology, majoring in Aviation, flew past his counterparts on the water today to take an impressive lead in his class.

The Finn sailors managed to get in three races today, following just the one yesterday, with Hill posting victories in the first three, only to be pipped into second place by half a boat length in the fourth race.

Hill, who finished second at the Sydney International Regatta last week, said conditions on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay were tough and shifty and the fleet spent the whole time searching for pressure.

'Racing was pretty tough and pretty close the whole day - but the races were reasonably short so it wasn't too bad,' Hill said.

Hill has only been in a Finn for the past 15 months and as a member of the Australian Development Squad is looking for a good result at his home club this week.

Hill has opened up a handy lead of five points over fellow ASDS member James Paterson of South Australia who won the fourth race of the day, with Jake Gunther (AUS) in third place.

SIR's winner Chris Caldecoat (AUS) is nine points off the pace in fourth position overall.

470 Class

USA 470 Class Olympic representatives Stuart McNay and Graham Biehl crossed the line in first place in race 4 today and have managed to keep Aussie pair, Gold Medallist Malcolm Page and his new skipper Mat Belcher well within their sights.

Belcher and Page still lead the regatta on 8 points after a solid performance on Port Phillip Bay, winning the first of the three races today and finishing third in the following two. McNay and Biehl are 3 points further back on 11 points.

However it was the young pair of 19-year-old SYC members Sam Kivell and Max Taylor who impressed today, posting their first win on the regatta in race three and crossing the line in second place in race four, elevating themselves into third place overall on 13 points and still well in contention.

'The second race we just got a really good start, got out to the left and got some really good left pressure and that got across everyone - we then just managed to consolidate the whole way - once we were out in front it made it a lot easier which was good,' Taylor said.

49er Class

Brits Paul Campbell-James and Mark Asquith continue to lead the compact 49er fleet after two day's of racing and one dropped race.

The only GBR team racing in the 49ers is on 5 points, five clear of Kiwi pair David McDiarmid and Andrew Archibald on 10 points, with young Aussie pair Will and Sam Phillips just 1 point back in third place.

Laser Radial

Olympic Gold Medallist Anna Tunnicliffe of the USA, leads a host of internationals following the first three Laser Radial Class races today.

Unfortunately Radial racing was postponed yesterday due to the light air, however Tunnicliffe, as rusty as she admits to being, has had no trouble with conditions today.

The 24-year-old worked her way through the field today to post a third, second and first respectively to lead the regatta on 6 points, closely followed by Croatia's Tina Mihelic on 9 points and Rachel Basevi (NZL) on 14 points in third place.

Laser Full Rig

Kiwi Mike Bullot (9 points) is leads Matias Del Solar (CHI) by just a single point from another New Zealander James Sandall in third place on 18 points overall.

Other progressive scores:

RS:X Women and Youth
Alistair Masters (GBR) 2
Jessica Crisp (AUS) 7
Kate Ellingham (NZL) 7

29er Class
James Sly/Andrew Gillies (AUS) 4
Bec Tuma/Emma Louise Daly (AUS) 9
Jack Lloyd/James Lainson (AUS) 13

Laser 4.7 Class
Stephen Collings (AUS) 4
Alison Dale (AUS) 8
Zac Pullen (AUS) 9

2.4m Class
Michael Leydon (AUS) 3
Peter Russell (AUS) 7
Michael Lemon (AUS) 12

Skud
Chris Riordan/Robert Schahinger (AUS) 1
David Staley/Bruce James (AUS) 2
Duncan McGregor/Andrew Cook (AUS) 3