Boardsailing: Ashley keeps Dutch rival at bay to triumph on RS:X return

Andrew Murdoch had the edge in the Lasers. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Tom Ashley made a winning return to competition after a year-long lay-off, taking out the RS:X fleet at the Sail Auckland regatta in Kohimarama yesterday.

The star-powered RS:X fleet provided the most competitive racing over the four-day regatta, with Ashley pushed hard by his Kiwi rival JP Tobin and world No 8 Dorian Van Rijsselberghe, of Holland.

The Dutchman, who is coached by New Zealand boardsailing legend Aaron McIntosh, was tied on equal points with Ashley heading into the final day, with Tobin one point behind on 15.

But a sixth placing in yesterday's opening race left Van Rijsselberghe with a lot of ground to make up in the medal race later in the day.

The experienced Ashley kept his cool, winning the medal race to claim the title by nine points. Van Rijsselberghe was second on 28 points with Tobin (32) third.

It won't be the last Ashley sees of Van Rijsselberghe, though, with the pair set to train together in Auckland over the next month.

The Laser class also provided plenty of thrilling action out on the water.

Beijing Olympian Andrew Murdoch dominated what was a very strong fleet over the first three days of the regatta, winning all but two of the eight races.

But his impressive run came to an end in yesterday's medal race, where he finished seventh behind Matt Blakey.

However, Murdoch's handy 11-point advantage heading into the final day ensured the slip-up in the medal race, which carries double points, did not cost him the title.

Andy Maloney, of Murrays Bay, finished second overall, with Josh Junior, of the Worser Bay Boating Club, third.

Yachting New Zealand Olympic Squad members Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie also overcame a shaky final day to take out the 470 class, beating a number of male pairings.

The pair got off to a horror start in the medal race, sailing to the wrong top mark. But they recovered well, finishing the final race in fourth place to take the overall win in the 470 class.

The girls finished five points clear ahead of the second-placed Singaporean team helmed by Roy Jun Hao Tay and third-placed Fancisco Lardies and Finn Drummond, representing the Glendowie Boating Club.

The second female team in the 470 class were Sarah and Emma Berry from the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, ninth-placed overall.

For the first time Sail Auckland had a single-handed paralympic class competing in the regatta, with a small 2.4 fleet taking part.

Veteran sailor Andrew May took out the class after winning all but one of his races, with young up-and-comer Josh McKenzie-Brown placing second.