Sailing: Murdoch's in the mix

Kerikeri laser sailor Andrew Murdoch is leading the charge for medals among the six Northland sailors competing at the Sail For Gold pre-Olympic regatta in England.

Murdoch claimed his spot inside the top 10, after opening Tuesday's racing with a second place finish before recording a 10th and fifth to leave him eighth overall after four races at the Weymouth Olympic sailing venue.

It was a long day on the water for the New Zealand sailing team's three laser men, including fellow Kerikeri sailor Andy Maloney, after the first day's programme on Monday was shortened by light winds.

They finally returned to shore at 7.30pm after completing three races each in winds that gusted up to 15 knots.

Malony, who is very much seen as the Olympic successor to Murdoch after a bronze medal at the recent world championships, finished the day in 13th place and will be hoping to make the gold medal fleet later in the week.

There are also two Northlanders competing in two different 49er crews with Whangarei's Marcus Hanson and his crewman Josh Porebski usurping Olympians Kerikeri's Blair Tuke and helmsman Peter Burling.

Hanson and Porebski celebrated their recent elevation into the national sailing team by finishing every race inside the top 10, carding a seventh, ninth and a 10th to sit in 11th overall.

With six races completed, the 49er fleets have been able to drop their worst scores. The fleet, as always, is very close in overall points, with only 10 points separating 10th from 20th.

World Championship silver medallists Burling and Tuke will be disappointed with their performances to date but still have the ability to turn it around.

They have not missed a medal race in the past two years and just need a few good performances to change their fortunes.

They are unaccustomed to their current 19th place overall but with little between them and the top 10, the biggest threat to them making the gold medal race could be forecasted heavy winds that may shorten the number of qualifying races.

The 49ers, like most of the fleets, split into gold and silver medal fleets after racing overnight, for two more days of racing before the all important gold medal race on Saturday.

The other Olympic-bound Northlanders, Jenna Hanson - Marcus' sister - and Algies Bay skipper Stephanie Hazard have not fared so well in the women's match racing.

Along with Susannah Pyatt they have only two wins out of nine races to date and will complete their round robin tomorrow.