The American trio began the day some way adrift of the defending champions John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas after their two fifth place finishes yesterday, with the Britain’s having won both races.

However the Britons were only able to finish seventh in both of today’s races, which enabled the Americans to edge into the overall lead having claimed a race win and a third place.

Their efforts saw them open up a two point gap on the British crew having moved onto 14, while Germany’s Lasse Klotzing, Jens Kroker and Siegmund Mainka are a further point adrift after two runner-up finishes.

Defending champion Damien Seguin remains in control of the 2.4m event, as the Frenchman finished fourth and fifth in the two races contested today.

He now holds an eight point lead over Australia’s Matt Bugg, while Germany’s Heiko Kroger had a mixed day on the Dutch water after finishing 20th in the first race, before earning a victory later.

"I mean the first race I just had no wind and boats overtook me from left and right,” said Kroger.

“The only thing I could do was count the boats, that was it.

"I was just unlucky in the first race.”

Poland's Monika Gibes and Piotr Cichocki strengthened their grip of the SKUD18 lead, after backing up yesterday’s second place finishes by ending as the runners-up again in today’s first race, before winning the second.

Their results leave them with a tally of seven points, with Britain’s Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell lying second on 11.

Canada’s John McRoberts and Jackie Gay occupy third place in the standings, after they moved onto 17 points.