Dorian Van Rijsselberge (NED) strengthened his grip on the men's windsurfing fleet on the third day of competition on Thursday.
Nick Dempsey (GBR) beat him for the second time in two days in the second race of the day, but Van Rijsselberge finished second and won the first race, his fourth win from six races.
Van Rijsselberge leads the fleet on just six points and Toni Wilhelm (GER) sits 11 points behind in second after another consistent day. Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) sits a point behind Wilhelm with Dempsey a further point back. All three chasing Van Rijsselberge have used up a bad score discard, yet Van Rijsselberge's worst finish in third.
Dempsey lives in Weymouth and knows these waters well but still struggled in the difficult shifting winds on the Portland Harbour course. In the first race, after two false starts and four black flag disqualifications across the fleet, Van Rijsselberge tacked slowly on the startline but then once again demonstrated unbeatable speed into the lead by the third mark in 15 knots of wind. Wilhelm shadowed, but finished half a minute behind. Dempsey was 10th and Miarczynski was 13th. Dempsey led from first to last in the second race when the wind picked up to 20 knots, with Van Rijsselberge chasing all the way and 18 seconds behind at the finish.
The Men's RS:X enjoy a lay day today before racing resumes n 4 August at 14:00 local time on the Portland Harbour Course.
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