By Gary Anderson

Robert Scheidt tops the standings in the Laser class after a consistent day in Santander ©Getty ImagesBrazil's Robert Scheidt has moved to the top of the standings in the Laser class after a consistent day on the water at the International Sailing Federation World Championships in Santander.

Two-time Olympic champion Scheidt followed up a second in his final race yesterday by registering his first win on the Spanish coast in race one today, before a third place in race two put him in control of the leaderboard.

"I had good starts, free of the line and then everything gets a lot easier," said the Brazilian, who is out to defend the crown he won in Perth in 2011.

"Because there was a lot of current throwing you on the line it was it was very difficult.

"Your instinct is to hold back so timing is critical.

"I think I managed to get that right."

A first and fourth for Dutchman Nick Heiner sees him move up to second overall, while compatriot Rutger van Schaardenbug also picked up a win sailing in the middle fleet to move up the leaderboard.

Czech Veronica Fenclova remains just out in front in the Laser Radial class, following up a disappointing 12th with a fourth in race two.

"Every race here is difficult," explained Fenclova afterwards.

"The first race in my fleet was very light wind and the fleet split into two parts.

"I had an OK start and went left, got clear wind but it was still difficult.

"In the second race the wind was stronger and so I went left again which was better for me."

Viktorija Andrulyte from Lithuania is the nearest challenger to the Czech after she rocketed up the leaderboard with a win and a fourth.

She is followed by The Netherlands' Olympic silver medallist Marit Bouwmeester, who was satisfied with her seventh and third finishes.

London 2012 silver medal winner Marit Bouwmeester of The Netherlands remains right in the hunt, lying third in the Laser Radial standings ©AFP/Getty Images London 2012 silver medal winner Marit Bouwmeester of The Netherlands remains right in the hunt, lying third in the Laser Radial standings ©AFP/Getty Images



"In the first race my old sparring partner Evi Van Acker (Belgian silver medal winner in 2011) and I rounded the top mark together at the top end of the fleet with me just behind.

"We worked through the fleet to finish first and second with me still behind.

"The second race was short and the wind was banging right to left.

"The important thing is not lose too many positions."

Meanwhile, France leads the way after the opening day of action in the RS:X competition.

Pierre le Coq is the early pace-setter picking up two wins in the men's competition, while compatriot Louis Giard also registered a race win.

"It's a good day to begin the World Championships but there's still a long way to go so we'll see at the end," said le Coq.

"I hope to be a regular at the top throughout the rest of the days."

Giard also picked up a second and third to sit behind le Coq, while Polish world champion Piotr Myszka is third after a fourth and second.

Meanwhile, France leads the way in the women's event also after two wins and a fourth has reigning European champion Charline Picon out in front.

Picon is joined by fellow Frenchwoman Eugenie Ricard in the top three as she picked up one race win, while they are separated by Mexico's Demita Vega who registered a win and a fourth.

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