Britain's Connor Bainbridge and Ellie Aldridge gained the lead of the Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay European Championship ©IKA/Alex Schwarz

Britain's Connor Bainbridge and Ellie Aldridge have taken the lead at the Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay European Championship on Austrian lake Traunsee.

Four races for each fleet were scheduled today for the beginning of the final series, with competitors sorted into gold, silver and bronze. 

Racing in the gold fleet, Bainbridge and Aldridge finished third twice, fourth and first.

Having finished second overall in the opening races of the competition, they carried two second place results forward, giving them a net total of 11 points after their fourth place finish was discarded.

Despite winning the opening races, and subsequently bringing forward two first place finishes, Germany's Florian Gruber and Leonie Meyer trail with 13.3. 

Leonie Meyer and teammate Florian Gruber are currently second in the gold fleet at the Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay European Championship ©IKA/Alex Schwarz
Leonie Meyer and teammate Florian Gruber are currently second in the gold fleet at the Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay European Championship ©IKA/Alex Schwarz

Gruber and Meyer triumphed in one race, before finishing sixth in two and gaining 4.3 points in another due to a redress ruling. 

Guy Bridge and Katie Dabson are third in the standings with 14.

The British pair carried two third place finishes forward, before placing fourth, first and third.

They also received a disqualification in a race. 

The opening series will conclude tomorrow, with semi-finals and a medal series scheduled for Sunday (September 20).

The Formula Kite class is due to make its Olympic debut at Paris 2024 as part of the sailing programme.