The Austrian pair were in good form amid torrential rainfall as they sailed to an excellent win which keeps their pursuit of taking the title alive.

The two teams are locked in a fierce battle at the summit of the leaderboard as both pairs have a total of 14 points.

In the men’s 470 class, Spaniards Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera were the only team currently inside the top six to finish higher than fifth today as they stretched their lead to five points over home favourites Stu McNay and David Hughes.

Canada's Jacob Chaplin-Saunders and Graeme Chaplin-Saunders look well placed to earn a spot at Rio 2016 as they have a good advantage over Mexico's Jeronimo Cervantes Belausteguigoitia and Ander Belausteguigoitia.

The competition in Miami doubles as the North and South American qualifier for this year’s Olympic Games.

London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Jonas Hoegh-Christensen edged the only Finn class race to be staged today as he crossed the line in front of American Zach Railey, who was second at Beijing 2008, to maintain his overall advantage.

The top six in the fleet are separated by just three points ahead of a packed day of racing tomorrow, with the Dane currently ahead of Railey.

Laser radial Olympic silver medallist Marit Bouwmeester of The Netherlands also put in an impressive display as she pipped Sarah Gunni Toftedal of Denmark by just two seconds to continue her winning run at the event.

Belgium’s Evi Van Acker, bronze medallist in London four years ago, came through to take third.

She currently trails Bouwmeester by six points as the Dutchwoman remains the overall leader.

Rutger van Schaardenburg, also of The Netherlands, managed to hold on to his advantage at the top of the leaderboard despite an error as he was caught over the start line before the gun and failed to return in time.

Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Bernaz is his nearest challenge after he recorded a fourth-place finish in a race which was won by New Zealand’s Andy Maloney.

Australian duo Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin wrestled back the Nacra 17 lead as they beat Dutch pair Mandy Mulder and Coen de Koning in both races to edge seven points clear.

Spain’s Diego Botin and Iago Lopez could only manage sixth in the sole 49er event to be held, with Britain’s John Pink and Stuart Bithell taking the race victory.

That result moved the British team into third overall as Botin and Lopez clung on at the top.

Danish duo Ida Marie Nielsen and Marie Olsen reigned supreme in the 49er FX race, with Alex Maloney and Molly Meech of New Zealand remaining the overall leaders.