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VEAL continued his excellent form from the practice races, and with his biggest rival out of the running, opened up with wins in the first two races.

In complete contrast it was a disastrous start for the defending champion, 'I was third,' said PAYNE whilst repairing his boat, 'And I was really trying. It is really a pity because it is not easy to recover two DNF. The conditions you can have here at the Garda lake are hard but beautiful, here you must sail always with great attention. Because of the waves the boat touches always on the sides. One of these touch have may be damaged the hook of the rudder. Tomorrow I will be in the water again!'

More Damage

Raimondo TONELLI (ITA), fifth in the first upwind, also had to stop the race because of rudder damage, 'I had already some difficulties with material just when I was approaching the mark, then a part of the rudder collapsed... good experience anyway!'

Despite two bullets, VEAL was under no illusions as to the difficultly of the task ahead. 'It is very hard to race with these conditions,' he said after finishing his races. 'You must continually adjust your Moth. It is really hard. We need less waves and less wind. The winner of this regatta will be a real champion in these conditions!'

VEAL's compatriot Scott BABBAGE (AUS) also performed well in the wind and the waves, with a 3,2 score putting him in second place. Sam PASCOE (GBR) lies third, eight points off the lead and just one point ahead of Adam MAY (GBR), the bronze medallist from last year's Worlds.