Tokyo (AFP)

Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, sixth in the general classification, remains within reach of the podium of the Olympic Games in Tokyo after the three rounds of Laser disputed Tuesday in Enoshima.

The Varois, who is playing his fourth Olympic Games, had a mixed day with two places in the top ten (9th, 7th) and a regatta completed in 23rd place, in winds between 10 and 18 knots.

But the 34-year-old sailor, who is still chasing an Olympic medal, is only six points behind the third, the Brazilian Robert Scheidt, one of the most beautiful achievements in Olympic sailing (5 medals including 2 gold ), back to the Olympics at 48.

Winner of two races on Tuesday, the Cypriot Pavlos Kontides leads the fleet.

"It's an average day. We did three races with a lot of waiting before the last one," responded Bernaz.

"Tonight I am tired, even angry, but there are still changes to come. Tomorrow rest!".

Three rounds were scheduled for Tuesday, to make up for the postponed race on Sunday.

The Lasers will be entitled to a day of rest on Wednesday before completing their program Thursday and Friday and a final (medal race) scheduled for Sunday.

- Marie Bolou goes back -

In Laser Radial, Marie Bolou made a good comeback in the general classification, from 19th to 9th place, thanks in particular to a second place in the last race of the day.

"It had been a long time since I had had such a beautiful day," responded the Breton from Douarnenez.

"We had a land wind with a good, tight chop and between 15 and 18 knots of wind. These are really conditions that I appreciate because it's not just pure speed that counts."

# photo1

The 49ers made their entry into Olympic competition.

After completing three rounds respectively in 4th, 15th and 10th places, the Lili Sebesi / Albane Dubois team, who trains in Marseille, is in ninth place.

"It was the second race which was more difficult since we desalinated and took a long time to straighten the boat to finally set off again far behind the others," explained Lili Sebesi.

"But we did not give up and we grab four or five places to get back to the fleet".

The reigning Olympic champions, Brazilians Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, are provisionally on the third step of the podium.

For the men, at the end of the program, only one of the three planned races was able to end in a wind of around ten knots.

The first round could not be completed due to an unstable wind, while Lucas Rual and Émile Amoros were well placed.

In the first race of the day, the French, still behind, finished 15th, quite far from the Irish winners Robert Dickson / Sean Waddilove.

The big favorites, New Zealanders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, reigning Olympic champions and America's Cup winners, finished only 12th.

© 2021 AFP