DORSET has three genuine chances at an Olympic gold medal after an incredible display on the water at Enoshima.
The fourth day of sailing competition at Tokyo 2020 saw windsurfer Emma Wilson, 49erFX pair Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey plus 49er duo Dylan Fletcher & Stuart Bithell all lead their standings.
Olympic debutant Wilson was the most outstanding, dominating the racing with two victories, while Dobson and Tidey claimed three top-five finishes.
Victory in the final race of the day moved Fletcher and Bithell into top spot.
Men's windsurfer Tom Squires also shone with a triumph and two top-10 positions boosting him into fifth overall.
Team GB flagbearer Hannah Mills, based in Poole, is third with her partner Eilidh McIntyre in the women's 470 after third and fourth-place results.
READ MORE: Dorset sailors flourish on Tokyo 2020 day three
Wilson, 22, said: “It was really good today, I had two really good races but I was just a bit over the line in the last one. I don’t know, I’m happy.
“I’m just trying to focus on my thing and go around inflatable masts fast and that’s all I can do. just keep smiling.
“I was going quickly. I wasn’t really expecting to go that fast but I know me and the Danish girl have been training really hard in Weymouth with the group of boys at home and we have been fast there so it was a bit like Weymouth out here today.
“What did I do on my day off? Sleep. Eat. I watched a lot of the Olympics actually.
"Watching the British swimming and winning the gold medal. I mean I’m just a massive sports fan so it’s pretty cool.
"I think the Olympics just inspires anyone to do what they are doing, so I’m just going to keep trying to push hard and enjoy it.
“I like every condition but today was really, really nice. Perfect windsurfing conditions.”
Tidey, 28, from Portland, said: “Today was a big day for everyone on the racecourse. It feels really really long and the conditions here are really challenging, so every race you have to regroup, start from scratch and figure out what you’re about to get into.
"So it’s a good day, but right now we’re pretty knackered so we’ll need a few hours to settle into relaxing.”
Fletcher, 33, said: “It started alright. We got out of the blocks, not quite as well as we wanted, but we battled for every point and I think still came away with a counter in the first and just built throughout the day with a bullet in the last.
“I think with the difficult build up and the uncertainty we’ve had over the last 18 months to be in this position, although it’s really early, it provides a good layer of confidence.
"But ultimately, we’ve still got eight races and the medal race to go so we’re just taking every race as it comes, trying to keep that solid base, solid comms and hopefully we’ll be where we want to be at the end.”
Bithell, 34, added: “Conditions were really nice actually. It was fully powered up, probably 12 to 15 knots, bit of sea way which is perfect really for the 49er.
“There were snippets of the breeze picking up a bit more than that and it was starting to get a little bit fruity shall we say downwind.
"But yeah, it was really nice for us. I think the girls out there just now might have the short straw and might have more of a big day out. It’s the reverse of yesterday.
“I think there’s good breeze again tomorrow, in the mid-teens. Like Dyl’s saying we just go out there for some other solid results.
"It takes just a bit more attacking if we’re two races, throw the boat around a little bit and just see what happens.”
Squires, 27, commented: “It was good to have some breeze on the racecourse. When I launched, I had to launch really early and get my settings set.
"I had no time to prepare before this regatta in venue because we had no breeze so to get out there early was super important for me.
“Just a basic day and tried to be as simple as possible. The risk for me is always the start but luckily for me I found some space, and as soon as I find some space on the racecourse I can let rip.
“You get a bit nervous leaving the boat, approaching the start, the five-minute gun goes and then people come past you whooping and it settles the nerves actually because everyone is just having a good time.
"Even people that struggle in that breeze know its proper windsurfing and love it.
“I go into the next few days with exactly the same mindset. My coach stresses me out with a ‘let’s go get three firsts’ but it doesn’t really resonate with me.
"I’m more of a ‘don’t make an idiot of myself’ and I did that today so I feel good. That’s how I need to continue this regatta, every time I start thinking about the outcome I know it’s going to mess with me so I don’t.”
Mills, 33, said: “I was really nervous today; I think the first day is always the worst. You’re just waiting and waiting and waiting. We were the last to start out of all of the sailing and not on until 14:30.
“There was an anticipation and also we thought it might be 20-25 knots so we were amped up for some big breeze and then it wasn’t quite that much but the waves were still really big.
“For a first day it was just really phenomenal conditions and it’s what we remember of sailing in Japan.
“My favourite moment (at the opening ceremony) was definitely walking in with the flag with Mo.
"It was so nice to do it with someone else and someone so humble and an incredible athlete. And to be the first male and female flag bearers together was really really special.
"It was definitely not something I ever thought I’d get asked to do or the opportunity to do, so I just felt really proud and overwhelmed. It was really emotional but amazing.
“It really is (as exciting as ever) and I think the extra year wait has definitely added to that excitement.
"I think Tokyo 2020 have done a phenomenal job of making everything look amazing and it looks very Olympic, it feels very Olympic and all the volunteers are incredible. It’s just a really nice buzz actually which makes it feel special.
“The competition is tough. We knew it was going to be - I don’t think our fleet has ever had as much depth as it has at the moment which is great to see but obviously it just means we’re going to have to battle all the more hard to be up there on the podium, but we feel in a good place.
“It’s a long old week. We’re happy with our start and we’ll see how we progress.”
Laser and Radial return tomorrow as 49erFX have a rest day. All other fleets sail in second bumper day of Olympic racing with 49ers sailing on their original rest day to make up for lost races.
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