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Victory in the recent ISAF Grade 1 Semaine Olympique Française saw Tom SLINGSBY (AUS) leap up the ISAF World Sailing Rankings to number 13 and judging by the way the Australian has sailed so far in Italy, a top ten top ranking is well within his grasp. Lying third overnight, SLINGSBY finished fourth in race eight but sandwiched that result with two bullets to leave him tied on points with Wednesday's leader, Aron LOLIC (CRO), but in first place thanks to his three race wins so far. In third place overall is ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number two, Vasilij ZBOGAR (SLO), who put in a solid day's performance with three top five finishes.

The other change at the top sees another Italian team take pole position on the leaderboard. ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number ones, Gabrio ZANDONA and Francesco DELLA TORRE (ITA) took three bullets to give them a five point cushion in the 470 men fleet. A third and two second places sees Croatians, Sime FANTELA and Igor MARENIC, behind them in second whilst the Australian team of Mathew BELCHER and Nick BEHRENS drop to third.

Across the other fleets it has been a story of consolidation at the top. Andrey KIRILYUK and Valery USHKOV (RUS) in the Tornado and Sylvia VOGL and Carolina FLATSCHER (AUT) in the 470 women have both continued their complete dominance and have perfect scores of seven points. Almost as good have been Luca MODENA and Sergio LAMBERTENGHI (ITA) in the Star. Three more bullets yesterday sees them 21 points clear at the top with a total of eight points. 1996 Finn Olympic gold medallist, Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ (POL), sailing in his first ISAF Graded event in the Star with crew Dominik ZYCKI (POL), started one race yesterday, finishing second behind the Italians.

The other two Italian leaders are Pietro SIBELLO and brother, Gianfranco in the 49er fleet and Larissa NEVIEROV in the Laser Radial, a winner here on Lake Garda back in 2003 in the Europe. Behind NEVIEROV, new ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number one, Keamia RASA (CAN), has moved into second place above Veronika FENCLOVA (CZE).

Sally BARKOW's American team continue to remain well clear at the top of the Yngling leaderboard. Another bullet for the recent Hyères winners sees them eight points clear of the Ukrainian team of Ruslana TARAN.

Finally, ISAF World Sailing Rankings' number one and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, Rafa TRUJILLO (ESP), continued his excellent form from Wednesday, despite a shaky start. After an OCS in race six he scored a bullet and a second place. With his nearest rival, Hyères winner, Emilios PAPATHANASIOU (GRE), slipping up in race seven, TRUJILLO now has a more comfortable, nine point lead at the top.