Shaw finishes on a high while 470 Women claim pole HANNAH Mills and Saskia Clark advanced to the top of the 470 Women’s leaderboard on the sixth day of Olympic Test Event racing in Rio, while Bryony Shaw ended her regatta on a high in the women’s windsurfing medal race.

An overnight weather front brought with it a change of wind conditions on the first of three finals days at this Aquece Rio International Regatta, with RS:X windsurfer Shaw revelling in the stronger winds to claim a final race victory and boost her overall standing to sixth at the conclusion of her regatta.

After a challenging week for the European Champion, Shaw was gunning for a final day flourish and after a great start to the race, she reached the first mark a minute and a half ahead of her nearest rival. She maintained her lead and wrapped up her Rio regatta in style.

“It was glamorous conditions out there, building all the time. It was the first time that we’d really had planing conditions this week and I’m really glad that I smashed it today and climbed up the rankings. It was nice to finish on a high,” Shaw said.

Although disappointed not to have been challenging for the podium, she drew positives from her time in the 2016 Olympic venue.

“It is all learning and there are some key points in my game that I can iron out,” the Beijing bronze medallist explained. “I wouldn’t say it’s anything major but it’s such precise racing here in Rio, and every beat is different. There’s certainly some fine-tuning needed in my overall game.

“I have a little bit of time off now, which is great, but then it’s back to Weymouth and preparing for our World Championships which are going to be out in Oman. “The World Championships is always a huge focus for me and so I hope to really go down there and smash it!”

It was a solid day for the British 470 teams, with 2012 silver medallists Mills and Clark claiming the yellow jerseys with two days of their 470 Women’s competition left.

Mills and Clark have a three point lead over the American duo Haeger and Provancha, and Clark expects it will continue to be close racing to the bitter end.

Giles Scott elevated himself into the top three on the Finn leaderboard after three good scores, including a race win.

The Finn fleet has two more fleet races on Friday ahead of their planned medal race on Saturday.