Sailing: Kendall finishes 5th, Ashley 10th

Three-time Olympic yachting medallist Barbara Kendall completed an unsatisfying regatta in fifth place overall after finishing fourth in the final women's Mistral race today.

Kendall, who blew her chance of a fourth medal when she made false starts in races three and five of the regatta, sailed well in the second half of a race shortened to four marks today because of turbulent, unpredictable winds.

The race was won by silver medallist Jian Yin of China, with Frenchwoman Faustine Merrett's second placing enough to give her the gold by two points.

Kendall, who won three of the 11 races, finished with 58 points, 27 behind Merrett.

Fellow-Aucklander Tom Ashley held onto his 10th spot after placing 11th in the final men's race.

Ashley improved as the 11-race regatta at Agios Kosmas went on, producing two third placings on the penultimate day's racing on Monday.

The 34-sailor class was won by Israel's Gal Fridman, creating history by claiming his country's first ever Olympic gold medal.

- NZPA