FINN star Giles Scott and the 470 women’s pairing of Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark claimed the yellow jerseys at the end of the second day of ISAF Sailing World Cup racing in Hyeres yesterday.

World Champion Scott and the Olympic silver medallists Mills and Clark each added race wins to their scorecards to elevate them into the overall top positions in their respective events as conditions improved at the French venue, welcoming strong and steadier winds across the courses.

It was a better day across the board for the British Sailing Team after a testing opening day. European Champions Portland-based Luke Patience-Elliot Willis won the day in the 470 Men’s event to improve their standing to third overall.

Mills and Clark won their opening race on Thursday by a 45-second margin over Italians Roberta Caputo-Alice Sinno. Their second race of the day turned to be their discard, and the duo are now at the top of the leaderboard after four races, albeit tied on points with a USA crew and the New Zealand World and Olympic Champions.

Portland-based Scott, on the other hand, edged in front of teammate Ed Wright in the overall Finn standings thanks to a fifth place followed by a race win claimed after overtaking Dutchman PJ Postma on the final downwind leg.

“The breeze came in and it was a lot steadier but it certainly wasn’t straightforward. It was a bit of a hike-off really,” Scott commented on the conditions.

“It was a very physical day and pretty exhausting, but very good to come away with a five and a one and to just sneak by and get PJ was a good way to end it.”

The Hyeres World Cup is one trophy currently not adorning Scott’s mantelpiece, having been trumped by his teammate Andrew Mills at his last attempt in 2013. The 27-year-old admits that would be something he would like to rectify this week, but insists his eyes are on the bigger picture towards 2016.

“I wouldn’t put it massively high on my priority list as long as I can put in a good show here and as long as I’m still moving forwards towards the end goal which is Rio then I’m happy.“

Patience and Willis bounced back after their difficult first day, claiming the best scores of their fleet to boost them into overall third place.

In the Paralympic Classes, Portland’s Megan Pascoe improved to third overall, with Helena Lucas in fourth in the 2.4mR event.