A typical conditions greeted a massive turnout in the Olympic Classes at the 38th ISAF Grade 2 Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma, Spain, and they remained that way throughout the week. Only for the Medal Races did the breeze really fill in and by then many of the pre-regatta favourites had already fallen by the wayside.

Whilst the Spanish, British and French crews struggled, the Kiwis seemed to relish the conditions and posted a fantastic set of results across the regatta. With two gold, a silver and two bronze medals, they were far and away the top performers in Palma. In this Ranking release they remain sixth in the national stakes, but some of their key performers, including Palma gold medallists Tom Ashley (NZL) and Barbara Kendall (NZL), look poised to move up during the year.

Certainly it is not all doom and gloom for Great Britain. With two top spots, two #2s and one #3 they still lead the way in the Rankings ahead of Australia with two #1s, one #2 and 1 #3. Britain's two leading crews also jointly hold the distinction of being the Rankings' longest leaders, with both Paul Goodison (GBR) in the Laser and Christina Bassadone and Saskia Clark (GBR) in the Women's 470 making it one full year in the world #1 spots.

It is little surprise that Tornado stars Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby

(AUS) hold the top points total of any of the 2,576 crews Ranked across the

11 Olympic Classes. The Australian duo have been close to unbeatable for the past six months, lifting the Tornado and Formula 18 World titles and recently adding victory at the Tornado Europeans to their win earlier in the year in Miami.

Next stop for the Olympic Classes is Hyeres, France and the first of the year's ISAF Grade 1 European regattas. Racing at the Semaine Olympique Francaise gets underway this Sunday 22 April with all the top names expected to feature.

The next Rankings release will be on 2 May 2007, following the ISAF Grade 1 Semaine Olympique Francaise.

Full rankings at http://sailing.org