Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark were unbeatable on the third day of ISAF World Cup racing in Palma on Wednesday (2 April), taking a clean sweep of race wins as the regatta reaches its halfway stage.
It was a tale of two halves across Palma Bay, with the more easterly courses near Arenal eventually seeing around 15-20 knots of wind and some lively racing, while the westerly courses struggled to get enough breeze in a stable enough direction.
Racing proved impossible in the Laser, Laser Radial and RS:X windsurfing events based in Can Pastilla, while Helena Lucas will have to wait another day to see if she can extend her race-winning streak as the 2.4mR Paralympic fleet was also abandoned for the day.
Mills and Clark, however, were relishing the conditions for 470 Women’s racing on the Arenal side of the Bay, amassing two race wins – the second by a compelling two-minute margin – from their two races to see them elevated into the overall second place at the end of day three.
For the 2012 silver medal-winning duo, this Princess Sofia Trophy marks the start of their full-time assault towards Rio 2016, with the pair having enjoyed a break from the Olympic sailing circuit during 2013.
“It’s wicked to be back,” said Mills. “We obviously had a bit of time off after the Games but have had a reasonably full-on winter’s training.
“This is our first big regatta so it’s really nice to be back to see how everyone’s getting on, and how we’re getting on.”
In spite of a low-key 2013 season, the competitive spirit is clearly still evident in the pair, although Mills is quick to temper expectations of a winning return.
“For us this is a process regatta – it’s what everyone says, but it is our first regatta back and our goal is Santander [World Championships],” the 26-year Cardiff sailor explained.
“Obviously it’s nice to win or get in the medals and we will be looking at that, but ultimately it’s about seeing where we’re at.
“We got two first places today which is in contrast to other days where we’ve been a bit up and down, so it was cool – good racing!”
