The Sevillian sailors Blanca Manchón and Marina Alabau occupy the fourth and fifth positions in the overall women's standings of the RS:X European Championships, after the first two races in the waters of Palermo (Italy).

After being unable to race on Monday due to lack of wind, the women's fleet was able to go out on the water on Tuesday.

Blanca Manchón, world champion in 2005 and 2010, European champion in 2006, and three-time winner of the World Cup (2009, 2010, and 2011), finished fifth in the first race and third in the second, placing her fourth overall with eight points.

Manchón is three points behind third-placed British sailor Bryony Shaw and five points behind Polish sailor Malgorzata Bialecka and Israeli sailor Hadar Heller, who both share the lead with a win and a second place each on the opening day.

In a day with light winds of 6 to 9 knots, fellow Sevillian Marina Alabau, Olympic champion in London 2012, world champion in 2009, and five-time European champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012), finished third in the first race and sixth in the second, placing her fifth overall with nine points.

On Wednesday, in the conclusion of the first phase, Manchón and Alabau will try to confirm their chances in the three scheduled races with the aim of making it to the final series with their options intact.

The Europeans in Palermo are qualifying events for the Pre-Olympic Regatta in Rio de Janeiro, which will take place in August.