THE second day of World Cup sailing in Weymouth and Portland was akin to “street fighting” in the eyes of world champion Giles Scott, who dug deep for two strong results to take the overall lead in the Finn class.

Portland-based Scott is one of four British sailors to lead their classes after day two at the London 2012 venue, with windsurfers Izzy Hamilton and Tom Squires in pole position in the RS:X women’s and men’s fleets, and Paralympic champion Helena Lucas dominating the 2.4mR.

Scott posted a second and first to take a two-point lead over French Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Lobert in the men’s heavyweight dinghy.

“The fleet was super close,” said Scott. “I think in the first race the whole fleet rounded in about 30 seconds of the first boat, which is probably testament to the quality of the fleet.

“Of course everyone here is quick so it is very easy to find yourself on the back foot and not so many people behind you. It’s tight street fighting really.”

Ben Cornish picked up a third and a fourth to sit fifth overall, with world bronze medallist Ed Wright sixth.

A consistent day for Izzy Hamilton, with three second places in her three races, saw her keep the yellow jersey in the RS:X women’s windsurfing. Weymouth-based Olympic bronze medallist Bryony Shaw is just two points behind her team-mate.

Tom Squires and Weymouth’s Nick Dempsey battled it out at the front of the men’s RS:X windsurfing, and the young Oxford sailor bettered the double Olympic medallist by just one point after six races.

Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark edged to within one point of Kiwi rivals Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie in the 470 Women’s fleet thanks to a sixth and a convincing race win.

Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh McIntyre enjoyed a good day on the 470 race course as well, elevating themselves into overall fourth. Ali Young continued a strong day for the British Sailing Team’s women, moving into third in the Laser Radial fleet.

In the Paralympic classes, Helena Lucas has yet to lose a race in the 2.4mR class, while SKUD duo Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell are locked in a close battle with Italian training partners Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti.

John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas are third in the Sonar, and in the Nacra 17 multihull class, John Gimson and Hannah Diamond are fifth, with Lucy Macgregor and Dave Evans 10th and Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves 11th.

Luke Patience described the day as “hard to prioritise” as he and Elliot Willis struggled in the 470 Men’s fleet – they are eighth overall, while Nick Thompson is ninth in the Laser.

Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign were the top British 49er crew, John Pink and Stuart Bithell are fifth, while Vicky Payne and Steph Orton are 22nd in the 49erFX.

Racing continues today and for all the latest news from the British Sailing Team, log on to britishsailingteam.com, Facebook or on Twitter @BritishSailing.