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Struggles continue for inconsistent Kirklands

The inconsistency that has plagued sailors Jesse and Zander Kirkland at the 2012 Summer Olympics continued in blustery conditions in Portland Harbour today.The Bermudian sailors got the day off to a sensational start with an inspiring sixth place finish in the first race in the double handed 49er skiff.It was the pair's best showing to date at the Olympic regatta and among those left trailing in the Kirkland's wake were world champions and regatta leaders Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen of Australia.But, just when it seemed as though the brothers had exorcised their demons on the race course, an all too familiar scene reared its ugly head in the second race. The local sailors broke their spinnaker pole launcher on the second down wind run and were forced to retire with a fourth DNF (21pts) of the week.“Sailing well today,” read a post on the Kirkland's website. “One good result (6th) in the first one and than an unfortunate DNF in the 2nd one after we shrimped the kite and broke the spinnaker pole launcher on a gybe set.“We were in 12th at the 2nd wind mark. We were going well in the 15-20kts and we are happy with that and will look to keep that momentum into tomorrow where we have important 3 races.”The Kirklands, who are among the youngest teams in the fleet, generated good boat speed around the course and read the big shifts sweeping off the English Channel reasonably well before their day came to a grinding halt.After eight races the local team is 19th in the 20-boat 49er fleet and in desperate need of something special if they are to make the cut for the medal race (top ten teams after 15 races).England's Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes dominated the 49er fleet today with two bullets to move into second behind leaders Outteridge and Jensen on the leader board.Racing continues tomorrow.