The pair had ignited their challenge with two victories yesterday to lie narrowly adrift of Argentina’s Lucas Calabrese and Juan De La Fuente in the standings at the event, which countries outside Europe are allowed to compete in.

A win in the opening gold fleet race continued the Australians impressive run, with the duo then securing second and third place finishes in the next two races.

It saw Belcher and Ryan, winners of three world titles as a pairing, move onto a total of 36 points for the regatta to top the standings.

Reigning world champions Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic of Croatia now lie second following two third place finishes and a seventh.

They boast a total of 39 points, with Italy’s Simon Sivitz Kosuta and Jas Farneti occupying third place on 43.

Austria’s Lara Vadlau and Jola Ogar look almost assured of the overall title in the women's event after stretching their lead further, despite two days of racing remaining in the regatta,

Two race wins and a second place saw their overall total move onto just 11 points from just eight races.

The Netherlands’ Afrodite Kyranakou and Anneloes Van Veen are some way adrift in second position on 35 points, two clear of Japan’s Ai Kondo Yoshida and Miho Yoshioka.

Brazil’s Fernanda Oliveira and Ana Barbachan dropped to fourth place on 40 points, with reigning world champions Camille Lecointre and Helene Defrance of France a further four back.

Three races are due to take place in both the men’s and women’s competitions tomorrow and will be followed on Tuesday (April 12) with a double points medal race.