Olympic24: Scott closes in on ISAF World Cup title

Giles Scott is looking to lead a British medal charge at ISAF World Cup while William Fox-Pitt tames tough going in Kentucky. Plus there are big wins for Vicky Holland and Jack Laugher. Here's our review of the last 24 hours:

Giles Scott is all but guaranteed gold heading into final races of the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyeres.

Scott enjoys a 19 point lead in the Finn class after surging through the fleet from 23rd to eighth yesterday and only has to sail one clean race to win the regatta for the first time.

“I think if you’d told me after race one that I’d have a 19 point gap going into the medal race I’d have said you were a liar!" he said.

“It’s a nice place to be going into Sunday.  I’ve just got to make sure I don’t do anything stupid and get round the course without being disqualified.  We’ll see what the conditions are like – I’m looking forward to it.”

British crews are in contention for medals in four other events.

The 470 Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are in the hunt for gold while Nick Thompson is also well placed to challenge for the top step of the podium in the Laser class.

“We’re two points from the leading Brazilian girls but I think we’re pretty tightly bunched behind us as well with probably only two or three points to third or fourth," said Clark. "I guess it’s whoever’s bravest wins."

William Fox-Pitt had the worst of the going as conditions made life difficult for riders at the Kentucky Horse Trials.

Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero picked up 8.4 time faults as rain caused problems, dropping from third to fourth ahead of the decisive jumping stage.

But last year's winner was happy with the performance.

“I was a bit worried about the ground as it had really deteriorated," he said. "I’m delighted with him — he worked hard all the way round."

New Zealand's Tim Price holds the lead heading in the final day.

We caught up with BMX star Liam Phillips in this week's Team GB Exclusive.

He's been talking about last weekend's sensational World Cup win in Manchester and regaining his world title in Belgium this summer.

Read more here

Paula Radcliffe's contribution to athletics goes beyond a world record that could stand the test of time, according to British Olympic Association chairman Lord Coe.

"It's very easy to say that Paula has made seismic contributions to distance running, both on the track and on the road," he said.

"However, she did something else. She democratised our sport for women, she gave them permission to feel they could go out and run and be a part of something like the London Marathon.

"Paula has had a stupendous career and hopefully she'll enjoy every second and every stride of this weekend's London Marathon because she deserves every moment."

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Great Britain's Jack Laugher claimed back-to-back Diving World Series victories in Kazan.

The 20-year old followed up his recent success in Dubai, winning the 3m springboard title by a whooping 30 point margin - top scoring with his front four-and-a-half somersault dive, which earned 106.40 points from the judges.

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Vicky Holland stormed to her first-ever World Triathlon Series victory in Cape Town - and admitted she was shocked.

Commonwealth bronze medallist Holland, on her return from injury, came home ahead of American Katie Zaferes and Olympic champion Nicola Spirig while British team-mates Helen Jenkins and Emma Pallant both secured top ten finishes.

"I didn’t think I could win it," she said. “I felt good in training and I thought a podium was a potential outcome for today if I executed everything perfectly."

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