Defending European champions and reigning world champions Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush are back in the medal hunt after three days of racing at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships in Eckernförde, Germany.
The 21-year-old New Zealand duo climbed into third overall after producing their fifth top-five result from eight races overnight, marking the first time they have broken into the top three at the regatta.
Menzies and Lee Rush, who claimed their maiden 49er world title in Quiberon, France, in May, arrived in Germany as defending European champions following their victory in Greece last year. However, they had not raced competitively since their world championship triumph and opened the regatta with a 16th-place finish.
Since then, the pair have steadily built momentum, stringing together a consistent run of results to position themselves among the top contenders heading into the finals series. They sit just eight points behind British leaders James Grummett and Rhos Hawes, with only four points separating them from second-placed French duo Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin.
Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush are third overall heading into gold-fleet racing. Photos / Niklas Mattes
Their rise up the leaderboard came on a challenging third day of racing, with the strong breeze of the opening days replaced by lighter, shifty conditions that demanded patience, tactical awareness and precise boat handling.
Joining Menzies and Lee Rush in the 49er gold fleet are fellow Kiwis Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn, who maintained their strong form throughout qualifying, sitting sixth overall.
The pair, who started the day second overall, recorded a seventh and 10th overnight, adding to an impressive opening series that included two race victories — the only race wins by a New Zealand crew across the three fleets so far.
Mattias Coutts and Oscar Gunn in action on Day 3. Photos / Niklas Mattes
Fresh from finishing fourth at Kiel Week a fortnight ago, Coutts and Gunn have emerged as genuine contenders and will look to close the gap on the leaders during the revamped finals racing.
Sean and Rowan Kensington finished qualifying in 38th place and will contest the silver fleet, while Francesco Kayrouz and Hamish McLaren placed 52nd.
Nicola and Rebecca Hume experienced a mixed opening day of silver fleet racing in the 49erFX.
The Auckland siblings started strongly with a 16th-place finish, then recorded two 26ths to end the day 17th in the silver fleet.
Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart enjoyed their most consistent day of the regatta so far in the Nacra 17, posting scores of ninth, eighth and 13th, climbing into the top 10 overall for the first time.
At the front of the fleet, Dutch duo Willemijn Offerman and Scipio Houtman continued to dominate, extending their lead to 16 points.
Micah Wilkinson and Kate Stewart have broken into the top-10 in the Nacra 17 fleet. Photos / Niklas Mattes
Reigning European champions John Gimson and Anna Burnet of Great Britain were the standout performers of the day, claiming two race wins to climb into fourth overall and reignite their title challenge.
Latest results and standings here.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
