Faustine Merret(FRA) finished with a win and two third places to continue her lead of the Mistral Womens class at Sail Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay today. Merret is looking unbeatable at this stage, she has seven point lead over the second-placed Jessica Crisp (AUS), with a worst result of third place over eight races. The real story here, though, is the tough battle going on for the Australian Olympic selection, Jessica Crisp and Allison Shreeve going head to head on a daily basis.
The Mistrals had two races today, Crisp winning Race 7 and placing second in Race 8, Shreeve finishing second in Race 7, but winning Race 8. this puts Crisp on 21 points, Shreeve on 25.

In the Mistral Mens fleet, Julien Bontemps (FRA) also excellent results to strongly lead the class, having won every race to-date, barring the last race of the day, Race 8, in which he finished second and used as his race drop for the series. Max Oberemko (UKR) continues his hold on second place, the World No. 2 had a win, a second and his worst race, an eighth to lead the third placed ars Kleppich (AUS) by eight points.

Kleppich, who is set to represent Australian in Athens, came to grief in the pre-start of the second race, falling from his board, the rig becoming detached. It left him a good two minutes behind the rest to start, but undaunted, he fought his way back to finish in fifth place. ‘I just did what I had to do to get back in there,’ the 36 year-old said.

The Mistrals enjoyed 15-22 knot winds on their two lap inner trapezoid courses today. Racing continues tomorrow, with the regatta finishing Saturday. Complete results and reports by Di Pearson at http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/