The West Australian girls scored a 24th in Race 8, followed by a win in Race 9, and after dropping their two worst races, lead with 32 points, seven places in front of their nearest rivals, Charlotte Savage/Hariette Trumble (GBR) on 39, an eight place the best they could manage today. Fellow countrywomen, sisters Lucy and Nicola Macgregor (GBR) are keeping in touch on 41 points after a second in Race 9

Maria Stella Turizio/Maria Carolina Renda (ITA) had their first win of the series today in Race 8, lifting them up into fourth place overall with 49 points.

In the open fleet, the experience of Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page (AUS) has kept them well in front of the pack; a third in Race 5 leaves them with a total of 13 after one race drop. Mathew Belcher/Rike Ziegelmayer (AUS) sailed well today with a 5-2 result, putting them in second place on 24 points.

Michael Anderson-mit/Graham Biehl are third on 27 points – a mixed day for the two, their worst result for the series a 16th in Race 5, which they used for a drop, but a third in Race 6.

The best effort from the Open fleet today came from Lauren Jeffries/Will Thomson (AUS), the pair scoring two wins, lifting them from 16th overall up into sixth place.

In the earlier race, winds were in the 7-10 knot range, but increased during the afternoon to 12-14 knots, giving competitors a better race.

Racing concludes tomorrow on Port Phillip Bay off Mornington, and while the winner in the Open section seems a foregone conclusion, the Ladies trophy is likely to come from any of the current top three.

Competitors from the World fleets, the Silver fleet and the 420 Mornington Regatta will join together tomorrow night for their presentation and farewell.

**Racing at the Formula Windsurfer Championships was abandoned today, due to lack of wind on Port Phillip Bay. Race organisers at Elwood Sailing Club are praying for strong wind tomorrow.

Source: Sail Melbourne - Di Pearson