New Zealand’s Peter Burling and Blair Tuke enjoyed another successful day at the 49er and 49erFX European Championships in Barcelona as they extended their 49er lead by a further seven points ©Getty Images

New Zealand’s Peter Burling and Blair Tuke enjoyed another successful day at the 49er and 49erFX European Championships in Barcelona as they extended their 49er lead by a further seven points.

Despite a blip in the second gold fleet race, in which they finished 17th, the London 2012 silver medallists picked up second and third-place finishes to leave them a massive 41 points clear of Olympic champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen of Australia in second.

Austria’s Nico Delle Karth and Niko Resch claimed two fourths and a sixth-place finish on the day and are now third overall, 15 points behind Outteridge and Jensen.

"We wanted to commit to sides, as we felt the middle couldn't work," said Resch.

"Today it was possible to read the wind as there was enough cloud cover to see both sides of the course fairly, so we chose our side and had the legs to get there.

"It worked out as well as could be hoped."

Spain's Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos slipped to third place in the 49erFX
Spain's Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos slipped to third place in the 49erFX ©Getty Images

Italy’s Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich regained top spot in the 49erFX as overnight leaders Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos of Spain slipped to third.

Argentinian pair Victoria Travascio and Maria Sol Branz and New Zealanders Alex Maloney and Molly Meech both had productive days to move into contention for victory.  

Travascio and Branz managed an eighth, a sixth and a fifth, while Maloney and Meech posted a second and two fourth-place finishes to move within striking distance of medals in fourth overall. 

Action in Barcelona is set to conclude tomorrow with the medal races coming after the final three gold fleet races.