BRITISH sailors are battling it out for the podium spots with two days of competition remaining at the Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma, Majorca.

Rising stars James Peters and Fynn Sterritt continued their consistent form at the front of the 49er fleet on Thursday to once again head the pack.

Their 6,6,2 scoreline has extended their lead as they sit 12 points clear of nearest rivals Spaniards Diego Botin Le Chever and Iago Lopez Marra.

Winning the day were Miami gold medallists Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell with a 1,2,3 advancing them to third.

It was a day of mixed feelings in the Nacra 17. Ben Saxton and Steph Orton, who paired up for this regatta after just a week training together, were pleased with their day.

The duo now sit in fifth place overall, but remain focused that the regatta is still about learning and enjoying it.

Saxton said: “We've had a really good day scoring 5,4,2, so we’re really happy with that. We’ve only had a few days sailing together and Steph has only had eight days in the Nacra, so well done, Steph.”

Following an incident between John Gimson and Anna Burnett and Tom Phipps and Nikki Boniface in the final race both crews were unable to finish due to gear damage. Both boats were subsequently granted redress meaning Gimson and Burnett remain at the top of the Nacra 17 leaderboard.

Weymouth-based Elliot Hanson’s bullet in the first race of the day sees him move up to third place and lead the British charge in the Laser event.

World Champion Nick Thompson’s third place in the final race of day has advanced him to fifth overall.

Thompson commented: “I have been using this event as a process regatta with a new coach so I’m really happy with how it’s been going. There have been some learning points, but I’m pleased with the progress.”

Commenting on the strength of his teammates in the fleet, Thompson said: “It’s fantastic to have such a strong team. We’ve worked hard over the winter and everyone is sailing really well, so it’s been a good week so far.”

Alison Young is currently 10th in the Laser Radial and will look to consolidate her medal race position in Friday’s final day of fleet racing. At only their second regatta together, 49er FX duo Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey finished the day in sixth.

Whilst the top few boats in the Finn have already qualified for the grand final and semi-final, the new format being trialled at the regatta means the rest of the fleet still have the opportunity to gain a place during Friday’s semi-final qualifier.

Ben Cornish and Henry Wetherell, in 11th and 17th respectively, will be aiming to do just that.

Also, experimenting with a new format is the RS:X class. The event will see 12 boards advance through to quarter, semi and grand finals for their last day of racing on Saturday.

Kieran Martin is currently in 10th in the Men’s RS:X. In the Women’s fleet Emma Wilson is in 12th and will be aiming to cement this during the final day of gold fleet racing. Izzy Hamilton sits 21st overnight.

Following the final series Gold/Silver split in the Women’s 470 event, the Podium Potential and Podium Potential Pathway crews are pushing the front of the Silver fleet.

Young guns Sarah Norbury and Katie Dabson are second, while Amy Seabright and Anna Carpenter and Jess Lavery and Flora Stewart are fifth and seventh respectively.

Martin Wrigley and James Taylor are 18th in the silver fleet in the Men’s 470.

The event concludes for all classes on Saturday, April 1.