Just as she was getting into her stride at the Sailing World Cup regatta in Weymouth, the weather got the better of Nicola Groves, but she claims her improved start bodes incredibly well for the weekend.

A lack of wind meant that only one of the scheduled four races was completed in the Nacra 17 class on Friday, but Groves certainly made the most of the limited action at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

Alongside partner Ben Saxton, the Surbiton sailor pulled away from the field to record an impressive victory and leap into third in the overall standings – just two points behind the leaders, Paul Kohlhoff and Carolina Werner of Germany.

And although Groves concedes there was some frustration at not being able to carry the momentum into another three races on Friday, she couldn’t have many complaints about the day as a whole.

“It was a good result. We started really well and kept our nerve,” she said. “It was quite a tricky race at first but by the end we had got a big lead.

“Sailing is quite simple when you can just pull away from the whole fleet! That made things a lot easier and it was a really pleasing performance, although it would have been nice to get out there for another race or two.

“We weren’t too happy with our starts on Thursday but we had a beautiful one today, so that was great.

“We would have liked to get out for another race or two so we could practise our starts more but it wasn’t to be.”

Saturday is the final day of regular racing at Weymouth before Sunday’s medal race, which is worth double points.

The indicators are all positive for Groves and Saxton in the final major competition before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in less than 60 days’ time and the 27-year-old believes they are coping well in tricky conditions.

“We actually had quite a good breeze for the race itself – not a lot but it was enough for us to do well with in the end,” added Groves.

“We started in about eight knots and finished in seven or so which was alright but the wind died out a bit afterwards. When it wasn’t raining, it was fine.”

Tickets for the Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland, to be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from 6-12 June, are available at www.rya.org.uk/go/swcgb. The National Lottery-funded British Sailing Team is proudly supported by official partners Volvo Car UK, Zhik and Peters & May. Follow the team’s latest news and updates at britishsailingteam.com or on Twitter @BritishSailing.