The qualification stage at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères has drawn to an end with gold fleet racing on the minds of the world's best top sailors over the next three days.

ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) are encouraged to apply for IOC Olympic Solidarity funding ahead of the approaching deadline.

Right up until the last minutes before the 1,111 sailors from 59 nations head out onto the water in Hyères, France they are busy tweeting up a storm.

As sailors trickled in to rig their boats on the second day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères they were greeted with flags fluttering in a beautiful breeze that will whet their sailing appetite.

Glorious sunshine and a consistent cool spring breeze ensured the 1,111 sailors from 59 nations were spoilt on the opening day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères.

For the second time in four years, Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi from Hong Kong has won the Rolex China Sea Race, Asia's principal offshore event.

A confirmed number of 1,111 sailors racing in 765 boats from 59 nations are ready for the opening day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères.

The boat parks at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères were bustling with anticipation as over 1,100 sailors from 61 nations fine-tuned their equipment ahead of racing which starts on Monday 21 April.