The Radial is the only one of the 11 Olympic sailing classes in which the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has still to identify its preferred candidate for the Beijing Games and this event is the second event in the official selection process that the four women in the running will contest in a bid to put themselves at the forefront of selectors’ thinking.

 

The Rolex Miami Olympic Classes regatta in January was the first event of a potential three-regatta trials series for the quartet of Penny Clark, Lizzie Vickers, Charlotte Dobson and Andrea Brewster to win the right to represent their country in China this summer.

 

There it was 32-year-old Royal Naval Officer Clark, from Gosport, who edged ahead in the battle for Beijing Olympic selection for the women’s single-hander finishing fourth and as the top British sailor at the regatta.

 

Yet young Scot Dobson did her chances no harm finishing just two places behind Clark in sixth while Vickers also secured a top 10 place, sailing extremely well to take second in the medal race and claim ninth overall.

 

If needs be the trials will continue, and conclude, at the Hyeres Olympic Classes Regatta in France next month.

 

Qualifying is scheduled to start at 11am local time today before the medals are decided and dished out on March 20.

 

More information on the 2008 World Laser Radial Women’s Championships can be found at www.takapunaworlds.org.