Basilica stay in front

Despite another day of difficult no wind conditions for the second day of the Extreme 40 iShares Cup racing in Munich

Basilica retain their lead after the second day of racing at the iShares Cup, Munich event on Lake Starnberg. Rob Greenhalgh and his crew including brother Peter, Justin Slattery and James Grant may have blotted their copybook with a fifth place in the first race of today. but redeemed themselves with another first in the final, and only second, race of the day keeping Tommy Hilfiger and Volvo Ocean Race vying for second place going into the final day of racing.

With the first race tomorrow scoring as a double points race, offering 20 points up for grabs, the teams will be fighting hard to secure these bonus points in a regatta where the podium is still wide open. Holmatro skipper, Andreas Hagara commented: "For this race we will push harder as it is a good opportunity for us to come back." Holmatro are currently lying in fourth place overall, having scored a third and second place in the two races of today

The promised 5-10 knots of southerly breeze made a brief appearance this morning before disappearing and, once again, light winds dominated with the added drama of thunder and lightning that kept the boats off Lake Starnberg. "It was a really challenging day on the water for both the sailors and for the race committee," Emma Westmacott, Assistant Race Director explained. "Everyone did really well on the water considering. They had a long postponement due to lack of wind, then local safety measures meant we could not be out on the lake during the storm. Eventually we got two races in but, unfortunately, had to abandon the third race as the breeze just died away completely."

Making significant gains on day two, saw Jean Christophe Mourniac drive Volvo Ocean Race to a second and third place putting them on equal points for second place overall alongside American boat, Tommy Hilfiger . The two teams will keep the pressure on leaders Basilica as they try to pip the British team to the top spot on the podium.

Volvo Ocean Race continued to show speed in the lighter conditions, continually gaining ground on the downwind legs and overtaking boats before mark roundings. "We do seem to be fast on the water, but don't tell the other teams," Franck Citeau, tactician on Volvo Ocean Race joked. "We are learning at this event. We have done no training as a team so we are learning how to work together. Our speed is good, it helps, but we can be better."

Holmatro and Offshore Challenges Sailing Team remain close rivals with only one point separating these two boats going into the final day.

Team 'SLAM' Denmark may have found the light conditions challenging but were able to hold their own among the fleet today. Holding third place in second race, the Danish boat attempted to cross the fleet but stalled for speed, resulting in a penalty turn that cost them a possible top three finish. "Where we train we have no one to compare ourselves against. We're new to these wind conditions so we are learning as we go along. Today we have compared our boat to the others on the water, looking at rig tension and sail adjustments. These short courses are really hard as there is little room to make mistakes."

Similar weather conditions are expected for the final day of racing at the iShares Cup, Munich event and the Race Committee are wisely looking at rescheduling proceedings: "We're going to try and get some races in first thing in the morning so that we have a successful double points race and then see what else the day delivers," rounded up Race Officer, Peter Moor.