ALL 10 Olympic classes were in action on day two of the Aquece Rio International Regatta, with British crews continuing a steady start at the testing Brazilian venue.

Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark enjoyed an opening day race win in the 470 Women’s fleet, while Alison Young hit back from a tough first day on the Laser Radial course on Saturday with two third places to add to her scorecard.

Mills and Clark were happy with their first day’s efforts on the newest and most remote course area, Pai, situated outside of Guanabara Bay.

“It felt like we were in the Southern Ocean!” Mills joked. “It was cool racing though. The wind was up and down between seven and ten knots with some big waves which were fun downwind. It was generally good racing so I can’t complain.

“We had a steady first day. The first race was a little bit frustrating but we made it into a counter and that’s all that matters really. In the second race we got a good start, held our own and sailed away a little bit. It made it quite nice and easy although we did have a drift off at the finish. The bottom reach turned into a no wind drift over the finish line so that’s always a bit nerve-wracking.”

For Mills and Clark, this event is an opportunity to race, test and learn the characteristics and minutiae of Rio racing in their bid to turn their 2012 silver into 2016 gold.

“It is a big learning opportunity but we’re also in the Olympic venue and we don’t race here much with the Olympic sized fleet,” Cardiff’s Mills explained.

“I think everyone would like to get a result here. Going into the Games it really fills you with confidence to know that you can sail well in Rio and the conditions, know your boat feels quick, so ultimately we would like to get a good result.”

The 470 duo is in third place overall after their opening day, while Young improved to fifth overall after four races in the women’s single handed fleet.

“We were racing outside on the Niteroi course today so it was a bit different with some swell and pressure differences, some big holes in places and a longer phase to the shifts,” the Bewdley Olympian explained.

“I was starting well, trying to sail clear upwind and trying to get into a bit of space downwind. It was a good solid day and a bit of a bounce back from yesterday.”

Weymouth-based world champion Finn sailor Giles Scott proclaimed his first day as ‘frustrating’ in spite of a steady 6-7 on his scorecard to see him in fifth place overall.

“For me today was very much indifferent – not good, not bad, but I’m excited about tomorrow.

“It was actually pretty much as we expected it to be on the Ponte [Bridge] course. It was very much like it was a few days ago with right hand favour but you could afford to be left of the group to get there.

“It was something that I didn’t quite execute all that well and I found myself on a bit of the back foot from the windward mark roundings. But I managed to put in two counter results so all wasn’t lost.”

Scott continued: “Racing here in Rio is very difficult and at times it’s pretty unpredictable. The only annoying thing for me today was it was kind of predictable so that’s where my frustrations lie, but for sure there are going to be heaps of opportunities for gains and losses out there especially with such a tricky racing venue.”

Nick Thompson was among the many Laser sailors with see saw scores from the two races on Sunday, with the world champion posting a 4-19 to sit in third place overall, while Luke Patience and Elliot Willis kicked off their 470 Men’s event with a fourth and a ninth to see them in seventh place after their opening day.

In the 49erFX event, Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth, racing in their first event for three months following an injury to Ainsworth, warmed into the day with 16-12-5 to see them in 11th overall.

John Gimson and Hannah Diamond also saw an upward trend their opening three races in the Nacra 17 mixed multihull. They’re 11th overall with 13-10-9 to open their regatta.

Racing on the Naval course after the 49erFX crews had finished their planned three races, the 49er crews could complete just two of their scheduled three races in the fading light. John Pink and Stuart Bithell posted 4-17 and sit eighth overall.

In the RS:X windsurfing events, Weymouth's Nick Dempsey is poised in 10th and Bryony Shaw is 12th after six races with a rest day in the schedule for today.

Competition at the Aquece Rio International Regatta continues today, with final medal races scheduled for the RS:X windsurfing events on Thursday, Laser, Laser Radial, 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 on Friday and Finn, 470 Men and 470 Women on Saturday.

For all the latest news and updates from the British Sailing Team, go to britishsailingteam.com, Facebook or Twitter @BritishSailing.