New Zealand's Sarah Macky jumped another place to second after five races in the Europe class at the world yachting championships in Cadiz, Spain this morning.
Having won the third and fourth races yesterday, Macky finished seventh today to be nine points behind leader Siren Sundby of Norway.
Lenka Smidova of theCzech Republic was third, three points behind Macky.
Macky was New Zealand's best performer at last month's Athens 2003 regatta, winning a bronze medal in the Europe class.
New Zealand's Kate O'Brien, meanwhile, dropped back to 55th in a field of 116 today after finishing 41st in the fifth race.
Nearly 50 New Zealanders will compete in the championships over the next fortnight.
As well as being a world championship regatta for each of the 11 Olympic sailing classes, it is a key regatta for next year's Athens Olympic qualification.
New Zealand have already secured a place in three classes - both men and women's mistral and men's 470.
