Sailing: Bassadone and Hopson hit form

Being fifth may not sound like fanfare material, but it is something of a triumph for Christina Bassadone and Katherine Hopson in the women's 470 class here at the Olympic rehearsal regatta.

They have had the sort of 10 days which has coaches purring. The pair, who came together at Southampton University, are in only their second season, but, said Bassadone: "Our results have been improving at every regatta this year. There is plenty more to come.''

As Hopson points out, the timing of their progress could not be better as they set themselves up not just to qualify Britain for its place in the event next year, but to secure their own selection at the World Championships of Sailing in Cadiz next month.

Also on the up are their male counterparts, Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield. They hold second place in Athens, as does Shirley Robertson, who, helped by some gritty crew work from Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton, also pushed her Yngling class campaign up into the silver medal slot with two races to go.

As Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith held on to third overall in the 49er high performance class, the British squad were on track for four medals as the event reaches its climax.

The jewel in the crown remains Ben Ainslie. Despite being called in for a talk by the chairman of the international jury, David Kellett, following a display of anger at being given a yellow flag, the man with silver in 1996 and then gold in 2000 remains in command of the Finn class, 14 points clear of his nearest rival, the 1996 Gold medallist, Mateusz Kusznierewicz, of Poland, also with two races to go.

The prospect of a fifth medal from the world champions, Iain Percy and Steve Mitchell in the Star class evaporated when they were dismasted last Friday. But they retain the respect of what is one of the trickiest classes. They go to Portugal next week to bid for the European Championship title and will also be in Cadiz to defend their world title.