Medal bid still on for Fletcher and Sign

Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign sailed themselves into medal contention after an excellent day on the water in Rio today (Tuesday 16 August).

Their first race win of the regatta, combined with a sixth and third, from their three races today propelled them up to fourth overall, just 10 points behind the London 2012 gold medallists, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, currently in third and 13 points from Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) in silver medal position.

With Thursday's Medal Race worth double points for every position, to claim a debut Games podium finish Fletcher and Sign have to put four boats between themselves and the Australians, and six boats ahead of the Germans. But they only have eyes on winning the race.

Fletcher said: "Today was a much better day for us. We started to find our form after yesterday and it was nice to finish the fleet racing on a high. Whatever it takes we'll be there trying to win the Medal Race and hopefully things will fall into place behind.

"We're working well together, racing fast, starting well and it's a bit disappointing we didn't do this at the start of the week as we know this is what we're capable of and this is why we're here. The main thing is that we're performing well now."

The 49er Medal Race is scheduled to take place at 5pm BST on Thursday, with New Zealand's Peter Burling and Blair Tuke already having secured gold.

Anyone can try sailing for free at Fletcher's local club, Rutland SC, as part of the RYA's Sail for Gold Roadshows from 10am Thursday. All comers are then invited to watch the 49er Medal Race and cheer the Brits on with friends, family and members of the British Sailing Team from 5pm.

Sign added: "I think Dylan had a bit more caffeine today! We chatted over the last few days about how we want to set the boat up, and have been reminding ourselves how we want to sail, just trying to find that extra bit of speed. It's getting off the line again and giving ourselves the option to have a clean lane on the racecourse."