Yachting: Ashley in third place

New Zealand board sailor Tom Ashley has made a strong start at the opening regatta of this year's Olympic class European circuit in Palma de Majorca in Spain.

The Beijing Olympic gold medallist had to work hard in light and unstable winds between 6 to 8 knots, eventually finishing in third place overall after two races in the men's RS:X board sailing on the opening day of the six-day regatta.

Israel's Shahar Zubari, bronze medallist in the 2008 Olympics, snared the early lead with two wins.