American Dominance Faces Serious Threat

The United States, expected to dominate the regatta, will have to finish with a flourish to maintain its status as the world’s top yachting power.

After a rush on Friday to catch up on a backlog caused by repeated storms during the first week of sailing, the U.S. team was in medal positions in at least three classes but frontrunner in only one.

Australia, Ukraine, Greece, Hong Kong, Denmark, Britain, Poland and Germany were on top of the standings in nine of the 10 medal categories.

After four races, only the U.S. women’s 470 team of Kris Stookey and Louise Van Voorhis were leading a class.

Olympic newcomer Courtenay Becker-Dey registered a third and a 14th to hold third place in the Europe class, behind Denmark’s Kristine Roug and the Netherlands’ Margriet Matthijsse.

Jeff Madrigali’s Soling crew is second.