BRITISH hope Nick Craig leads the way after two days of racing in the OK Dinghy World Championships at Lyme Regis.

With day three results still pending at the time of writing, Solent-based Craig edged Swedish sailor Niklas Edler at the top of the standings on a nett 6.0 points.

Both men recorded a nett 6.0 score but Craig is ahead on countback by virtue of two race wins to Edler’s one.

Lyme Regis home favourite Chris Turner is placed in 30th following a consistent championship so far, registering two 11th-placed finishes and two 16th-placed marks.

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Some 142 competitors, from 13 countries, remain in the event which ends tomorrow.

And the scale of the championships, plus the tangible benefits for Lyme Regis as a town, is not lost on Cllr Mark Roberts.

The Harbours Committee chairman told the Bridport News: “It’s quite unusual that a small town like Lyme Regis with a small local authority and a relatively small sailing club hosts an international competition like this.

“It takes a huge amount of effort, preparation and planning by not only the town, and of course Dorset Council and the Harbours team.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome everybody here. It’s a fantastic showcase to demonstrate what a wonderful place Lyme Regis is.

“It’s a working harbour, a leisure harbour and a fun place to be. There are 13 nations here, that’s a huge plus for the town.”

Cllr Roberts also highlighted how the championships can build on the success of London 2012, at which Weymouth & Portland hosted the sailing events.

He added: “Since the Olympics came to Weymouth, our residents are much more aware that sailing is actually a very important sport and leisure activity.

“It’s huge, and being able to bring a competition like this to Lyme Regis, which people see as a quaint harbour, really adds to it and the international sailors will see what great conditions we have in Lyme Bay.”

For Lyme Regis Sailing Club’s former Commodore Sally Holman, the event secretary, this championship means a great deal.

She said: “It’s completely a one-off. We’ve spent two years of full-on planning, and here we are with 140-odd sailors.

“It’s been hard work but the sailors are really nice, they’re a dream. It’s a big boost for the sailing club, for the harbour, for the town.

“It will carry the name of Lyme Regis and highlight it all round the sailing world.”