The first day of racing at the second leg of the 49er Grand Prix Series in Bandol, France, saw Team GBR sailors Tim Robinson and Zeb Elliot take third place overall in the provisional standings.

The first day of racing at the second leg of the 49er Grand Prix Series in Bandol, France, saw Team GBR sailors Tim Robinson and Zeb Elliot take third place overall in the provisional standings, just behind three times World Champion Chris Nicholson, from Australia, who currently leads the regatta from country men Adam Beashal and Teaque Czislowski.

Thirty-nine boats were registered from five continents (18 countries), which were split into three groups. The competition was organised on a rotation basis, so that every boat sailed in two of the three races, thus competing against every other boat.

Going was tough with the forecast force 6-7 making for some extremely challenging sailing conditions for the fleet.

Paul Brotherton, sailing with former International 14 world champion crew Mo Gray won the second race of the day with Alistair Richardson and Pete Greenhalgh, who were third overall in round one of the Grand Prix series in Sardina, followed Brotherton home in second. This, coupled with a fifth in race one, puts Richardson and Greenhalgh in a strong fourth place in the provisional standings. For day two the course will be pulled even closer to the shore to get it out of what are now impressive waves.

FRANCE: Sardinia; 49er European Grand Prix Series (after day 1)
1, Chris Nicholson and Daniel Philips (Aus) 1,2 – 3pts
2, Adam Beashal and Teaque Czislowski (Aus) 3,1 – 4pts
3, Tim Robinson and Zeb Elliot (GBR) 2,4 – 6pts
Other British Placings:
4, Alistair Richardson and Pete Greenhalgh – 5,2 – 7pts
7, Ian Barker and Simon Hiscocks- 5,9 – 14pts
8, Paul Brotherton and Mo Gray – 13,1 – 14pts
13, Andy and Ian Budgen – 8,13 – 21pts
31, Steve Rous and Tim Paull – 20,20 – 40pts