Poland's Bialecka takes lead in women's gold fleet at RS:X World Windsurfing Championships

Racing resumed in Oman after yesterday's rest day ©Facebook/Oman Sail

Poland’s Malgorzata Bialecka assumed the lead of the women’s gold fleet at the RS:X World Windsurfing Championships in Mussanah, Oman, after claiming two second place finishes on the third day of racing.

Having seen the field split into gold and silver fleets following yesterday's rest day, China’s Peina Chen was hoping to maintain her hold of the event lead and began impressively by winning the opening race of the day.

However Bialecka, who finished as the runner-up to Chen in the first race, was able to leapfrog her Chinese rival in the second race of the day having earned another second place finish with the leader only managing seventh.

The pair currently look set for a head-to-head battle for the world title in the remaining two days of competition as Bialecka currently holds only a one point lead over her opponent, with a total of 15 points.

“It is a very tough event, very physical, so it is important to be fit and to build up consistent results," said Bialecka.

"I think the break we had yesterday made me come alive again, because I felt I had a lot of power today.”

Her compatriot Zofia Noceti-Klepacka currently occupies third place in the standings but looks unlikely to challenge for the gold as she has picked up 33 points from eight races.

France's Pierre Le Coq and Poland's Malgorzata Bialecka lead the men's and women's gold fleets after the third day of action ©Facebook/Oman Sail

Australia’s Joanna Sterling currently has leadership of the silver fleet having accrued a total of 78 points, while Veronica Fanciulli of Italy is second and lies four points behind.

Pierre Le Coq’s leadership of the men’s gold fleet is set to come under increasing threat in the remaining days of the regatta after the Frenchman’s advantage was cut after he managed second, 14th and 19th place finishes during the day’s three races.

While the worst result has currently been discarded, another poor result could derail his hopes for gold, as Poland’s Piotr Myszka lies just six points behind the leader’s total of 31 points, having finished sixth, fourth and ninth.

Pedro Pacual of the United States currently leads the men’s silver fleet with a total of 104 points, while Britain’s Tom Squires lies second on 110.