Saxton still on course for sailing medal at Rio 2016

British sailors are turning their eyes to silverware as their sport moves into second week of competition at Rio 2016 '“ and Itchenor SC member Ben Saxton is among those on course for the podium.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Aug 2016, 01:06 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:20 BST

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Ben Saxton & Nicola Groves / Photo by Rick TomlinsonBen Saxton & Nicola Groves / Photo by Rick Tomlinson
Ben Saxton & Nicola Groves / Photo by Rick Tomlinson

Saxton and Nicola Groves maintained their position in the Nacra 17 medal positions after a testing day on the water with scores of 13, 12, and 16.

The Brits lie third but level on 49 points with second-placed Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza Saroli (ARG), and with just seven points separating the top five boats.

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The Nacra 17s are set to complete the final three races of their 12-race opening series on Sunday before the class’ Medal Race on Tuesday.

Groves said: “It wasn’t the best day on the water for us, we really struggled to get off the start lines and got some big race scores, but we will come back fighting tomorrow (Sun). The points are going to be really, really close.”

As reported, the 49ers completed an exhausting four races with Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth scoring 5, 8, 7, 10 to sit 12th overall respectively.

Dobson added: “We have still got two more days of opening series racing to go, and that’s six races, plus the Medal Race so although today wasn’t a sparkling day it was a day that kept you in the game so we are more than happy with that.”

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The 49er and Nacra classes are scheduled to contest 13 race series, with other five classes 11 races each. The regatta is set to come to a close with the 49er and 49erFX medal races on Thursday.

To follow the team’s fortunes at Rio 2016 visit www.rya.org.uk/Rio2016, follow @BritishSailing on Twitter and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/britishsailingteam

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