The London 2012 champions remain at the top of the standings in the SKUD18 category and won the first race ahead of team-mates Amethyst Barnbrook and Brett Pearce.

Dutch pair Rolf Schrama and Sandra Nap were third in challenging yet competitive conditions, though in race two the weather was described as "frightening".

The breeze built quickly and strong gusts, reported to be at 30 knots, caught many crews unaware with some spectacular results.

Americans Ryan Porteous and Maureen McKinnon suffered a broken mast and the Israeli crew of Hagar Zahavi and Moshe Zahavi suffered the same fate with both boats having to be towed back to the arena at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.

The Australian crew, having established a good lead by the final lap, delayed the deployment of a spinnaker until after they had gybed, and came home ahead of Canadians John McRoberts and Jackie Gray.

Schrama and Nap followed behind for their second third place of the day.

Fitzgibbon and Tesch lead the way overall with six points, ahead of Britain's Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell who are second on 17, and Italians Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti who are third on 21.

In the 2.4mR category the wind also played havoc, with Puerto Rico's Julio Reguero crashing into an anchored committee boat during one strong gust.

For these little boats with their low freeboard, just remaining afloat was challenging, and bilge pumps were used by every crew to pump out water that had swept over them in the high winds.

France's Damien Seguin secured victories in both races, edging Canada's Bruce Millar in the opener and then getting to the line ahead of German Lasse Kloetzing.

Australia's Matt Bugg was third on both occasions, with Seguin now leading the overall standings on nine points.

Kroeger is second on 14 with Bugg third on 19.

In the Sonar class, the predicted tightening of the competition was clear when the first three boats crossed the finish line almost together, each overlapped with the boat ahead.

The Australian crew of Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden pipped French trio Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicola Vimont-Vicary into second, with Britain's John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas having to settle for third.

Britain turned the tables in race two, leading the Australian trio home with New Zealand's Richard Dodson, Chris Sharp and Andrew May taking third spot.

Australia still lead overall on seven points, with Britain second on 13 and the French team third on 22.

Severe weather conditions are again forecast for tomorrow's action, with the regatta due to last until Thursday (December 3).


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