Light winds play havoc with NZ sailors in Rio

Alex Maloney and Molly Meech pictured during racing on the Waitamata at Akarana Yacht club. Photo / Chris Gorman.

Light winds played havoc with the sailors at the Rio test event today.

Only two classes featuring New Zealanders were raced but both had delays.

The women's 49erFX finally began about 2.30pm local time but New Zealand's Alex Maloney and Molly Meech had a tough day, but still sit fifth overall. They were 12th in their first race and eighth in the second, which was a good comeback from a rough start.

"It was a tough day on the race course, pretty light, shifty and a bit of current effect as well - so a little bit of everything out there today," 49erFX coach Jim Maloney said.

Brazil's Martine Soffiatti Grael and Kahena Kunze have used hometown advantage impressively and lead the fleet with 11 points, while New Zealand have 29.

Laser sailor Andy Maloney was sixth in his only race of the day, which began about 3.30pm local time. Italian Francesco Marrai leads the fleet on 28 points, while Maloney is 10th overall on 54 points.

"We've still got four fleet races to go and then a medal race, Murray, from Murrays Bay club, said. "I will just try to keep plugging away at some top 10, top five results and execute my game plan each race."