Sailing: Goodison's chance to stand out

THE absence of Olympic silver medallist Ben Ainslie has allowed the precocious talents of Paul Goodison, a 20-year old student at Southampton Institute, free rein in the Laser singlehander for the second consecutive day of the Spa regatta here yesterday.

As the forecasters predicted up to 25 knots only for a second day of light and shifty airs to materialise, Goodison continued to exploit a love of the light conditions which has had his coaches demanding he put on weight and fitness to cope with a wider range of wind strengths.

After seven races, Goodison, who led at the end of the first day, was still second overall, one point and one place ahead of Olympic gold medallist and double world champion, Robert Scheidt of Brazil.

Needing a top five place today in what may be the final race before the cut to the top 12 for the match racing, Andy Beadsworth, with crew Chris Mason and Barry Parkin need both the match race final practice and the opportunity to work on boat speed, especially downwind.

In the Star class Glyn Charles and new crew Mark Covell are holding their own at sixth, but Europe singlehander Shirley Robertson moves into the gold fleet with it all to do in the final four races.