KEY POINTS:
A mixed day on the water for New Zealand's Tom Ashley has blown the race for the men's title at the RS:X World Championships in Takapuna wide open.
After an impressive start to the regatta, including three wins from his opening four races, Ashley had a handy buffer heading into the third day of the regatta yesterday.
But after a 13th and a fourth from his two races yesterday the 23-year-old's advantage has narrowed to just a solitary point over Ivan Pastor Lafuente of Spain.
Poland's Piotr Myszka is in third position on 15 points.
Ashley said he struggled to adjust to the gusty and unpredictable wind conditions on the Hauraki Gulf.
"Today was one of the toughest days of racing I've ever had," the three-time youth world champion said.
Things did not go Ashley's way from the outset with the Kiwi getting away to a poor start in the opening race. He rounded the second mark in 32nd place but managed to work his way through the middle of the fleet to finish a credible 13th.
While it was initially thought the mark placing on the first leg might have caused confusion, Ashley said no one was to blame but himself.
"I just sailed badly. I missed an opportunity on the first upwind leg and sort of got boxed in."
He was pleased he was able to bounce back with a fourth placing in the second race of the day.
Although his performances were down on what he produced over the opening days, Ashley said he was still relatively comfortable with where he sat in the championships.
After yesterday's races the sailors were able to drop their worst performance from their overall total, meaning Ashley's 13th placing did not cost him the overall lead. "I'm still feeling pretty good with where I sit. Of all the guys around me I've still got the best discard. Some of the other guys have 32nd and 34th so if they had a bad day in the medal race then they'll count."
In the women's fleet Barbara Kendall snatched the overall lead for the first time in the regatta.
The evergreen Kiwi was locked on equal points at the top of the standings with Italy's Alessandra Sensini heading into the third day.
But Kendall was able to open up a three-point lead over her long-time rival with two second placings.
Spanish pair Blanca Manchon and Marina Alabau are in a share of third place on 14 points.
There is a rest day today.
Ashley said although he was still feeling on top of things physically, the lay day has come at an ideal time.
"I still feel great but it'll be good to regroup after having such a disappointing day today."
The men's and the women's fields will be split into gold and silver fleets when the regatta recommences tomorrow.
STANDINGS
MEN
1 Tom Ashley (New Zealand) 10
2 Ivan Pastor Lafuente (Spain) 11
3 Piotr Myszka (Poland) 15
4 Shahar Zubari (Israel) 24
5 P. Miarczynski (Poland) 25
WOMEN
1. Barbara Kendall (New Zealand) 8
2. Alessandra Sensini (Italy) 11
3= Blanca Manchon (Spain) 14
3= Marina Alabau (Spain) 14
5 Faustine Merret (France) 16
