Boardsailing: Aaron at sea as Barbara breezes into third

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

It was the start Aaron McIntosh had nightmares about - disqualified from the first race of the Olympics.

New Zealand's gold medal boardsailing hope was annoyed with himself yesterday after being told at the finish line that he had been too eager at the start.

McIntosh was penalised with the highest score possible for his misdemeanour - a premature start - but it's not the end of the world. Boardsailors can drop their two worst results at the end of the 11-race regatta.

It was up to New Zealand coach Grant Beck to break the bad news to the three-time world champion after he had crossed the line in 12th spot.

"It's not a very nice thing to have to tell someone after they've sailed 50 minutes without any idea," Beck said.

"He was really annoyed, it's not the best way to start. But he's taking it okay now."

McIntosh finished his first day with a ninth in the second race, a result he was happy with in the shifty, light conditions.

His keenest rival for gold, world No 1 Aussie Lars Kleppich, had as bad a day when he was disqualified in race two. He was fourth in race one.

New Zealand's female gold-medal favourite, Barbara Kendall, had an ideal start with a second and third putting her in a close third place overall.

She was beaten in both races by Amelie Lux, a tiny German soldier who weighs just 50kg and thrives in a whisper of a breeze.

There was success for Kendall's brother, former Olympic champion Bruce Kendall, when the Indonesian sailor he has adopted won the second race.

Oka Sulakasana, a Balinese surfing star and father of two, sailed the race of his life yesterday. He was in a hurry for a reason.

Said Kendall: "He's had a bad stomach all day, he wanted to go to the toilet all through the race."

"Our goal was to come to the Olympics and try to win a race. He's done that on day one."