Yachting: Burling and Tuke off the pace at Euro champs

Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling (pictured) and Blair Tuke made a sluggish start to the European 49er sailing championship in Denmark overnight (NZT). Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke made a sluggish start to the European 49er sailing championship in Denmark overnight (NZT) to sit well down the field after the first day of racing.

The pair are sailing their first competitive 49er skiff regatta since the Olympics and were 18th and ninth in their two races today to be in a share of 35th in the 91-strong fleet. They still have plenty of time to make an impact with five days remaining in the regatta.

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski were marginally better in 32nd and Ben Goodwin and Sam Bullock were the best of the Kiwis in 13th overall.

Promising duo Alex Maloney and Molly Meech were better placed in the women's 49erFX championships and were second equal after a 10th, ninth and sixth from their three races.
The pair are the world's No 1-ranked combination in the class, which will debut at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.