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In Division 3, North Star and Rush North were headed towards a confrontation for the sole leadership with just one point separating them, even as defending champion Eureka kept up the pace with the leaders in third place.

In not so ideal sailing conditions, the Australian boat Ichi Ban, owned and skippered by Matth ALLEN turned up with yet another strong performance in the third and fourth races to keep sole leadership at the top of the standings in Division 1 with five points to his credit.

Dubai-based Yo!, winner of the recent Jumeirah Regatta with Toby O'CONNELL at the helm, charged into second place with nine points, while the RC44 boat Team Aqua skippered by Cameron APPLETON was a further five points adrift in third place.

Most of the excitement, however, was concentrated in Division 2 where Westin Mina Seyahi and Le Meridien tussled to gain control after four races. But it was the experience of skipper Sultan HAREB that came to the fore as Westin Mina Seyahi took full control with five points at the top.

Le Meridien is in second with ten points while defending champion AGMC BMW creeping in behind for third place with 12 points. In fact, AGMC BMW, skippered by Emirati Yousuf BIN LAHEJ, beat Westin by more than a minute in the fourth race yesterday, but the division leader had done enough in the previous three races to feel the impact.

Division 3 is being hotly contested by two of the best boats while defending champion Eureka is slowly gaining ground.

Skippered by Christophe VANEK, North Star - which dominated the opening day on Monday - kept up its good work to head the standings with seven points, while the Phil HOSKINGS and Lee TURNBULL-skippered Rush North kept pace in second spot with eight points. Niccolo BERTOLA's Eureka is in third with 12 points.

"We have had some excellent and exciting sailing and the experience of the crew is slowly coming to the fore," stated Saeed HAREB, Managing Director for DIMC.

"Another two days of sailing and anything can happen," he added.

Action will continue off the Mina Seyahi waters with another two races being scheduled today.

The event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Maktoum Sailing Trophy is sponsored by Emirates Airline, AGMC BMW, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, The Westin Dubai and Marine Pool.

Maktoum Sailing Trophy - www.maktoumsailingtrophy.com