SAILING: Australia’s Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan have opened up an eight point lead on the first day of finals racing at the 2013 470 World Championship in La Rochelle, France. 

Belcher and Ryan started the finals series two points ahead of second place with the Australian pair finishing eight and second in the day’s two races to lead over their Kiwi and French opponents. 

“Today went well for us,” said Belcher. “We were pretty happy to come away with two good scores on the first day of the finals. 

“It’s been a difficult place to race, with quite a bit of current and shifty winds and most top teams found it difficult to be consistent,” he said. “You could notice the tension in the fleet with all the top guys together and highly motivated to get a good start. We didn't start the best today but fought hard to get the results we did. Another day down and looking forward to tomorrow’s three races.” 

Matthew and Robert Crawford have moved up from their overnight 39^th to be 27^th following a pair of 19ths on Wednesday. 

Fellow Australians Alexander and Patrick Conway are just behind in 33^rd following a 37^th and 25^th, with Scott Cotton and Tom Potter in 81^st. 

In the women’s fleet Elise Rechichi and Sarah Cook ended their first day of World Championship finals racing in 17^th position with the new pairing recording a 24^th and a 12^th. 

“It was a tough day at the office for everyone today with very shifty, difficult, conditions for the two races,” said Cook. “We finished with a 12^th and a 24^th but hopefully the 24 will be our drop for the finals series. The pressure is on for the next five races with three scheduled tomorrow and stronger winds forecast.” 

Jacqueline Gurr and Amelia Catt are currently in 26^th position after a 25^th and a 20^th, with Sasha and Jaime Ryan 36^th overall and Lucy Shephard and Aurora Paterson 43^rd. 

Yachting Australia