Sailing: Northland pair make strong start in France

Northlanders sailing in the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyeres, France continue to keep up with the rest as all sit fairly balanced after a day's racing.

The best of the Northlanders is silver medallists from the last ISAF Sailing World Cup event earlier this month, Alex Maloney and Molly Meech.

Maloney and Meech made a solid start on day one (Monday night NZT) as the young Kiwis finished 10th and 9th in the first two races, and won the third in the 49erFX women's skiff class - leaving them in 5th position heading into day two of qualifiers.

Maloney's brother, Andy, sits 15th overall in the laser class with finishes of 43rd, 4th and 13th. Andy took to his supporters' Facebook page to report on the day's racing.

"Very tough first day of racing here in Hyeres," Andy said.

"We completed three qualifying races, in 3-6knots of breeze ... I had a difficult start to the day but salvaged a couple decent enough results after that.

"A lot of top guys had mixed days today, it was not the easiest of conditions that is for sure! Tomorrow looks light again, two more qualifying races scheduled ... Bring it on."

In the Finn fleet, featuring 68 of the world's best, Northland's Andrew Murdoch sailed two races on day one of qualifying with Josh Junior the best of the two Kiwi boats at this early stage.

Murdoch is in 20th overall after day one on the water where he returned an 11th and a 17th.

Junior, who represents Wellington's Worser Bay Boating Club, was 2nd in race one, followed that with a 7th in race two and he lies 4th overall on equal points to 3rd place.

Men's 470 sailors Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox are the best-placed of the Kiwis after the first day.