Great Britain's laser sailors recorded a remarkable one-two-three finish on day three of the World Cup Series in Japan but the success came as no surprise to Nick Thompson.
It was Lorenzo Chiavarini who came home first, whilst compatriot Thompson was second and Elliot Hanson third.
The result ensures that Hanson retains first-place overall in the standings, eight points ahead of New Zealander Sam Meech, whilst Thompson climbed into third.
And whilst there is still a way to go in the competition, with a three-race day on Friday to make up for earlier cancellations, Thompson – who competed for GB at Rio 2016 – believes that the result was cause for celebration.
“It was great to get British 1-2-3 – we thought it was quite funny when we found ourselves in that position at the windward mark,” Thompson said.
“That said, we’ve been doing really well all year so it’s not really a shock or surprise. We’re all pushing each other hard at the moment and that shows in the results. It’s only a good thing.”
Overall leader Hanson made sure to reserve praise for his teammates in what has been standout week thus far for British laser racing.
“The British laser squad is in a healthy position right now – it’s an exciting time to be part of it,” he said.
“The class has been dominated by other nations for a number of years and it’s nice to potentially now be part of the squad that could knock them off their perch.”
And theirs wasn’t the only race in which multiple Brits finished out in front – the women’s 470 saw a one-two as Amy Seabright and Anna Carpenter came home first, with Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre not far behind.
Elsewhere on day three in Enoshima Bay – the sailing venue for Tokyo 2020 – Beijing bronze medallist Bryony Shaw moved up into second in the RS:X windsurfing class after third and fifth-place finishes.
She is now just three points off the lead, whilst teammate Emma Wilson currently sits in seventh.
Giles Scott stays top in the Finn class, whilst Ed Wright sits fourth and Ben Cornish is ninth.
James Peters and Fynn Sterritt also retained first-place in the 49er class, with Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell down in 11th.
John Gimson and Anna Burnet are three points off third thanks to a day that saw them record a race win in the Nacra 17.
There was no laser radial racing due to adverse weather, as high winds put paid to the afternoon’s proceedings.
The World Cup Series event continues until September 16, with medals decided in the final two days.
Sportsbeat 2018