DORSET’S sailors remain in strong positions after day four of the Volvo 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Portland-based Stuart Bithell and racing partner Dylan Fletcher sit third in the 49er behind Spanish leaders Diego Botin le Chever and Iago Lopez Marra plus New Zealand’s Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.

However, with the weather conditions worsening over the weekend, Bithell is hopeful of home advantage.

He told the British Sailing Team website: “We had a lovely breeze out there in the bay although it felt like someone had a switch on the windspeed, it was so up and down. We had a solid day with three counters so we’re happy.

“There are plenty of teams in this regatta who could win and there’s a long way to go yet so we’re just focused on our own racing at the minute.

“For now it’s head down and just go for it. The weather is going to get worse over the next few days and we said before the event that the rainier and colder it is the better for us!

“We hope the Spanish and Kiwi lads struggle with the proper British summer.”

The Brits lie 15 points off the Spanish pair but just seven off the Kiwi duo.

Elsewhere, Weymouth’s Charlotte Dobson and racing partner Saskia Tidey recovered from a U-flag disqualification to secure one victory and a fourth place in 49erFX action.

In doing so, the double act consolidated their third place but lie 20 points adrift of silver and 31 points off gold.

There are just two more days of fleet racing to come before Sunday’s all-important medal races.