British sailors in prime position at Trofeo Princesa Sofia halfway stage

With ten classes all racing at the annual regatta, the Brits have impressed until the halfway point and appear to be on for a healthy medal haul.

Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey are firmly on top of the 49er FX class, while Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell sit at the summit of the 49er category.

Closing in on the gold medal position are the duo of John Gimson and Anna Burnet – currently lying second in the Nacra 17 – while Olympic champion Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre are just a point behind the leaders in the women's 470.

Following the latest round of action, Gimson noted the difficult conditions, saying: "It's been a tricky start to the event – the wind hasn't been very consistent so we've just been trying to chip away and get some counters.

"We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing and keep grinding away.

"Do it well and you'll get to the top mark in the top three, do it badly and you won't be in the top ten."

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Chivarini sits second in the laser fleet after winning race six.

Another set of Brits on the podium are Luke Patience and Chris Grube in the men's 470 as as they rocketed up the leaderboard on day three to lie in third place.

And Patience is already feeling bullish about next year's Olympics in Tokyo, explaining: "Day three was a bit of a breakthrough day to win it when the wind is light.

"Historically we're launched when it's breezy and the lighter wind is our weakness, so we're really happy, it's a big step forward towards Tokyo 2020."

With a whole host of British sailors involved in the regatta, it will be an intriguing final few days to see if they can hold onto their podium positions.

The event marks the start of the European sailing season and is considered a useful barometer of progress after winter training.

Sportsbeat 2019