WEST Mersea sailor Saskia Clark and helm Hannah Mills believe this week’s Aquece Rio International Regatta will play a key role in their preparations for next year’s Olympic Games.
The duo have enjoyed a solid start in the 470 women’s fleet at the event in Brazil, where all ten Olympic classes are in action.
Clark and Mills were in second place overall following racing on wednesday.
The London 2012 Olympic silver medallists performed well on the newest and most remote course area, Pai, situated outside of Guanabara Bay.
Mills said: “I think everyone would like to get a result here.
“Going into the Games it really fills you with confidence to know that you can sail well in Rio and the conditions, know your boat feels quick, so ultimately we would like to get a good result.
“It’s a big learning opportunity but we’re also in the Olympic venue and we don’t race here much with the Olympic-sized fleet.”
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