Yachting: NZ Olympic sailors lead way in World Cup series

Laser sailor Andrew Murdoch. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

New Zealand sailors continue to prosper in the final round of the World Cup series for Olympic classes at Weymouth in England.

Six New Zealand crews are in the top-10 of their fleets after the second day of competition, with Star duo Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk and Laser sailor Andrew Murdoch leading the way.

Having opened with two wins, Pepper and Monk remain first in the 36-boat fleet despite returning a ninth placing from the only race sailed yesterday.

They have a three-point lead over the second-placed German crew of Johannes Polgar and Markus Koy.

Murdoch remains the best placed of the eight New Zealanders in the 180-boat Laser fleet, but slipped from the top spot into second place after fourth and seventh placings. He is two points behind Briton Paul Goodison.

The standout performer in the class yesterday was New Zealand's Josh Junior, who posted two wins to improve to 15th place overall, two places behind compatriot Mike Bullot.

In the 49er class Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have moved from fourth into second place after recording a second and third placings.

Jon-Paul Tobin also excelled in the men's RS:X, winning both of yesterday's races to improve to fourth place overall, while the women's 470 crew of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are seventh and Finn sailor Dan Slater ninth.

- NZPA