Michael Millar is up to fourth place in the windsurfing competiton (00730192)

A GREAT day on the water yesterday has elevated Jersey’s windsurfers into the silver medal position in the team event.

Michael Millar fought his way up to fourth place overall after twice finishing third yesterday and now lies equal on points with Bermuda’s Alex Jones and two points off Menorca’s Loren Mesquida in third.

Justin Horton is ninth overall following a fifth and a tenth place finish, Chris Le Masurier keeps climbing the leaderboard and is now tenth overall following a tenth and a sixth while Steve Melia is 16th overall after a 15th and 16th place finish.

Melia explained that because of the conditions the racing has been all about stamina and decision making. He said: ‘It’s been very tactical out there and the first day was so light we actually all came to a complete stop but the races are now in the afternoons when there is a bit more wind.

‘We’ve also got huge blisters on our hands from pumping the rig because you have to pull it back and forward to make it move in these conditions – it’s very tough going.

‘Michael is doing fantastically and was really unlucky to miss out on a second place on the first day due to being judged as over the start line, that was very disappointing for him but he’s recovered strongly. Justin is also doing amazingly well as he is using the race boards for the very first time.’

Reflecting on his own racing Melia added: ‘I’ve been struggling with my start but got away well yesterday and then had a crash with the guy from Bermuda. I was trying to go downwind of him and the wind suddenly picked up and lifted my board and I hit him quite hard.

‘My board was damaged and after the race was finished I had to make some temporary repairs but the organisation is so good that when I arrived to do that there were people already waiting to help me with all the equipment.’

The competitors have a day off today but will be back on the water tomorrow afternoon.

Michael Millar is up to fourth place in the windsurfing competiton (00730192)