Two races in each category took place today under sunny skies while tricky wind conditions tested the competitors' skills as they jostled for the lead.

In the mixed-crew SKUD 18 class there is a two-way tie at the top of the standings as the Italian team of Marco Guadalandris and Marta Zanetti put in impressive performances to share the lead with London 2012 gold medal-winning duo Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch of Australia.

Both crews swapped results as the Italians followed up a third place finish in race one with a win in race two while the Australians set an early marker by taking the win first time out.

Reigning champions Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell got their quest for a sixth successive world title off to a steady start with a second and a fourth to lie third in the standings ahead of home favourites John McRoberts and Jackie Gay.

British trio John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas continued their fine recent form, which has seen them claimed podium positions at all five events they have competed at this year in the Sonar class, by registering two wins in Halifax.

A third and fourth has Canada's Paul Tingley, Scott Lutes and Logan Campbell leading the chasing pack in second place followed by Americans Rick Doerr, Hugh Freund, Tim Angle.

The Australian crew of Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden lie in fourth positon as they seek to better their bronze from last year's Championships in Kinsale, Ireland.

The Australian crew led by Colin Harrison sit in fourth place after a steady performance on the opening day in Halifax ©Getty Images



Meanwhile in the largest fleet on show, last year's runner-up Heiko Kroeger of Germany and Frenchman Kevin Cantin won the 2.4mR races.

Kroeger opened up with an impressive win in the opening race finishing ahead of Paralympic champion Helena Lucas of Britain and followed that up with a third-place finish in race two.

Cantin opened up with a fifth but powered to victory in the second outing to sit two points behind his German rival.

Despite a solid opening race Lucas could only manage sixth in the second race to leave her third overall.

Canadian Bruce Millar and Norway's Bjornar Erikstad complete the top-five.

Racing continues in Halifax through until Sunday (August 24).

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