Sailing: Murdoch's Finn success no fluke

Kerikeri's Andrew Murdoch has become the latest Northland sailor to producing a podium worthy performance, this time at the Finn European Championships in Germany.

Murdoch's rise up the ranks in the Finn class is nothing short of outstanding after last year competing in the Laser boats at the London Olympics. After finishing fifth in London, Murdoch is now third.

The two-time Olympian from the Kerikeri Cruising Club announced his move to the heavyweight single-hander earlier this year and, in what is just his third major international in the class, has come away with Sunday's podium finish.

Before now the 31-year-old's best result in the Finn was a seventh at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Palma earlier this year.

Murdoch said the bronze is just part of the journey to World Championships later this year.

"Pretty stoked to have just picked up bronze at the Finn European Championship here in Germany," Murdoch said after racing. "I have a couple of travel days [days off] now to Estonia where I'll begin preparing for the World Champs which start late August."

Murdoch's teammate Josh Junior, 23, finished fifth after also having a strong regatta. Sunday's racing had a cancellation involved which denied Junior a shot at ousting teammate Murdoch for the bronze - a distinct possibility based on the points proximity.

Junior, who grew up sailing at the Worser Bay Boating Club in Wellington, medalled at ISAF Sailing World Cup, Hyeres earlier this year and the young campaigner will also now turn his focus to the up-coming World Championships.

The Finn fleet will come together again around one month from now in Tallinn, Estonia for the Finn Gold Cup to decide the Finn World Champion.