Ireland's Eve McMahon and Finn Lynch both hold podium positions heading into the final day of fleet racing at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta in California, with Friday's Finals now within reach.
With one day of fleet racing remaining, both Irish sailors occupy podium positions in their respective fleets as the battle intensifies for places in Friday's medal-deciding Finals.
In the ILCA 6 fleet, McMahon sits third overall after Great Britain's Hannah Snellgrove surged from seventh to first with race scores of first and second. American Charlotte Rose is second.
The top ten remains tightly contested, with several former world-class performers still fighting to secure a Finals berth.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, Finn Lynch recovered impressively after a difficult start to the day. The Irish Olympian won the final race to climb back into third overall.
Cyprus' Pavlos Kontides now leads the men's standings ahead of Australia's Matt Wearn.
Ireland also remains represented in the fight for a place in Friday's Final through Ewan McMahon, who is within striking distance of the top ten.
"Everyone has the same idea," McMahon said. "I'm just going to push myself as much as I can to get into the top 10 and give myself a chance."
Italy's Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini also strengthened his position with first and second-place finishes, while American Chapman Peterson said race strategy continues to evolve despite competitors favouring the right-hand side of the course.
"A lot of people expect the right to be favoured," Peterson said. "But over the course of the last week we've seen a lot of different stuff. It's a lot trickier than people think."
Competitors are expected to race inside the Los Angeles Harbour breakwater on Thursday, presenting sailors with a markedly different tactical challenge from previous days.
The change also offers another opportunity to gain valuable experience on the waters that will host sailing competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
In the 470 class, Great Britain's Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris moved into the overall lead after three consecutive race wins, overtaking Germany's Simon Diesch and Anna Markfort. Sweden's Anton Dahlberg and Lovisa Lindner are third.
San Pedro OCR is one of only two major Olympic class regattas held annually in the United States. Nearly 200 sailors from 34 nations are competing across the ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and 470 classes.
Fleet racing concludes on Thursday before Friday's Finals, where only the top ten in each class will contest the medals.
