ENOSHIMA EXPERIENCE PAYING OFF ON DAY 1 OF READY STEADY TOKYO

And the 363 sailors from 47 nations were met with strong winds and big waves in Enoshima, Japan, an ideal way to start six days of competition.

The 470s held both the Men's and Women's World Championships on these very waters just last week, meaning their sailors will by now be very familiar with the conditions in Enoshima.

One team who certainly enjoy sailing here are Jordi Xammar & Nicolas Rodriguez (ESP) in the 22-strong 470 Men's fleet.

After finishing runners-up to the 2019 title, the Spaniards have made an electric start to Ready Steady Tokyo, winning both races on the opening day.

And though they recognise it's only Day One, they couldn't hide how much they relish competing at this venue.

"Enoshima already produced very good conditions at the Worlds, and today it was perfect - 15 knots and big waves," commented Xammar.

"We had really good starts and good upwind and downwind speed. It's just the first day and there is plenty to go, but we're very happy with the feeling so far."

"For sure we know about sailing here, but so do our competitors, so at the end it's the same for everyone," added Rodriguez.

"We are really happy with our performance but we have to keep learning. It's about who will remember us next year, not this year."

Mat Belcher & Will Ryan (AUS), recently-crowned world champions, follow in second, with Anton Dahlberg & Fredrik Bergström (SWE), who finished third at the Worlds, in third here as well so far.

A similar scenario is unfolding in the 20-boat Women's fleet, where Worlds silver medallists Ai Kondo Yoshida & Miho Yoshioka (JPN) currently lead after two races with a second and a first.

A race win for Agnieszka Skrzypulec & Jolanta Ogar (POL) means they follow in second, with 2019 world champions Hannah Mills & Eilidh McIntyre (GBR) third.

Racing continues tomorrow at 12:00 local time on Sunday 18 August. The RS:X Men & Women, 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 fleets are scheduled to sail another three races, with the remaining fleet set to complete two.

EVENT WEBSITE

Click here for the event website -

https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/readysteadytokyo/sailing/

RESULTS / ENTRIES

Ready Steady Tokyo - Sailing are providing the results from the official test event and they will be available to view here -

https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/readysteadytokyo/sailing/results/

Click here for the latest entry list.

Source: World Sailing