New Zealand crews in the mix

WELLINGTON: A handful of Kiwi sailors battled light winds at the World Cup in France to sit inside the top five as the regatta moves into its final stages.

Paul SnowHansen and Dan Willcox are second in the men’s 470 in Hyeres, the same position Alex Maloney and Molly Meech occupy in the 49erFX, and Sam Meech is fourth in the Laser.

Other crews are also still in the mix. Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn are fifth in the 49er, Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders fifth in the Nacra 17, and Josh Porebski and Trent Rippey sit seventh in the 49er.

Light winds have been a feature of racing in Hyeres all week, playing havoc with the schedule and forcing the abandonment of some races.

SnowHansen and Willcox had two races called off, but still managed to finish third and sixth in two others and climb into second overall.

Crucially, they have had only one result outside the top 10 and, even then, it was an 11th, which puts them in a strong position for the remainder of the regatta.

‘‘We’re happy with how we executed today,’’ Willcox said.

‘‘We’re feeling comfortable in the light winds and happy with the way we are racing. We just need to keep executing our starts and back our decision making and boat speed.’’

Sam Meech is also eyeing a medal. He maintained fourth place after finishing ninth and 18th on a day of change in the Laser fleet.

Meech is now only four points behind leader Jean Baptiste Bernaz, of France. Olympic champion Tom Burton (Australia) dominated the day, winning both races, and is now only two points behind Meech in fifth.

Maloney and Meech have a similar philosophy in the 49erFX, sailing in light breezes, finishing ninth and fifth to leave them nine points behind leaders Helene Naess and Marie Ronningen, of Norway. — NZN