The first of the year’s ISAF Grade 1 European regattas brought a record number of entries and well over 1,000 sailors to Hyères, France. After a disappointing performance in Palma, the Brits came back with a bang, claiming two gold medals a result which consolidates their position as top nation in the latest release of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings.

Less than three months remains until the start of the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cascais, Portugal and the first of the year’s major European regattas brought all the top stars of the Olympic Classes to Hyères. Light conditions through the early part of the regatta made for tricky conditions and threw up a number of surprises before the easterly breeze arrived for the last two days of racing, providing perfect conditions for the Medal Races.

The other British world #1 Paul GOODISON (GBR) does hold on to his top spot and is the Rankings’ longest leader, having been at the summit of the Laser Rankings for nine consecutive Ranking releases. The Brits also have one other #2 spot and two #3s giving them top nation in the Rankings ahead of Germany, who together with Australia and Spain, hold two top spots.

There is now a short break until the ISAF Grade 1 Holland Regatta from 23-27 May.

About The Rankings

The ISAF World Sailing Rankings rate skippers based on their performances over the last two years. Skippers score points by competing in ISAF Graded events. The top finishers at all ISAF Graded events score Rankings points, with the highest points awarded to the event winner and then decreasing down relative to position. The most points are up for grabs at World Championship events, followed by ISAF Grade C1 events, Grade 1, Grade 2 etc. For more on how the Rankings work CLICK HERE.

49er

Jan-Peter PECKOLT and Hannes PECKHOLT (GER) stay top of the 49er Rankings, fighting back strongly after a poor finish in Palma with a fifth at the ISAF Grade 1 Semaine Olympique Française. Team mates Marcus BAUR and Hannes BAUMANN (GER) move up after a bronze medal display in Hyères to make it a German one-two at the top of the Rankings.

Pietro SIBELLO and Gianfranco SIBELLO (ITA) trade places with BAUR and BAUMANN to fall one place back to third, with the two British 49er teams Stevie MORRISON and Ben RHODES (GBR) and Chris DRAPER and Simon HISCOCKS (GBR) in fourth and fifth.

After being the most consistent team on the 49er circuit for the last couple of years, reigning World Champions DRAPER and HISCOCKS’s year got off to a sluggish start, by their very high standards. A 12th in Miami and eighth in Palma were rare finishes outside of the top five, but the pair where right back on form in Hyères and wrapped up overall victory in the only ISAF Grade 1 event that had previously eluded them.

The other big winners in France were the Austrian team of Nico DELLE - KARTH and Nikolaus RESCH. A third in the Medal Race gave them the silver medal and helps them climb five places up the Rankings to #10. Also rising up in this release is three-time ISAF Youth World Champion Nathan OUTTERIDGE and crew Ben AUSTIN (AUS), who gain eight places to #12.

Pavale KOSTOV and Petar CUPAC (CRO) are the highest new entry in this release at #92. After making the switch from the 470, the Croatian pair came in an impressive 19th in their debut performance in the 49er.

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