Picon made the perfect start to the European Championships by winning the first race contested in the women’s fleet, following the eight-month break in competition due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The French star placed third and fourth in the subsequent two races.

The results gave Picon a score of eight points, which was enough to top the early standings.

Poland’s Zofia Noceti Klepacka and The Netherlands’ Lilian De Geus complete the top three on 11 and 12 points, respectively.

Israel’s Yoav Cohen currently leads the men’s competition on 11 points.

Cohen began by ending 11th in the opening race, before recording two second-place finishes.

Switzerland’s Mateo Sanz Lanz lies one point behind Cohen in second, with Italy’s Mattia Camboni third on 15.

Cohen’s compatriot Daniel Basik Tashtash tops the men’s youth standings on three points, after winning all three races contested today.

Spain’s Aurelio Terry-Valle is second on six, with Israel’s Adir Tawil third on 10.

The women’s youth event sees Russia’s Yana Reznikova leading on three points.

Reznikova is followed by Israel’s Naama Greenberg and Linoy Schwartz Bargota, who respectively have six and 11 points.

The European Championships had initially been due to take place in Athens during March, before being postponed to November.

Vilamoura stepped in to host the event after the Hellenic Sailing Federation withdrew from staging the event in Greece’s capital.

The European Championships will serve as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The top windsurfer in the men’s and women’s event will secure a place for their country, should the nation be yet to earn a berth.

Only the Asian and European qualification spots remain on offer in the men’s and women’s events for Tokyo 2020.

The men’s event has already seen 23 of the 25 quota places earned, while 25 of the 27 women’s spots have also been secured.