Boardsailing: New Zealanders on track in Italy

New Zealand boardsailers Tom Ashley and Barbara Kendall both had wins in the RS:X World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy overnight, keeping their medal race hopes alive.

Ashley slipped from a share of first place to second overall with a win and a 4th, while Kendall's win and 14th place in her two races lifted her from 12th to sixth.

Both sailors race twice again tonight and need to hold their top ten placings to advance into the medal races.

Ashley said race leader Casper Bouman of the Netherlands raced particularly well to get a win and a 2nd but was pleased with his own performance.

"My first race was really tough as I sailed a very bad first upwind and had to fight back from 25th to finally place 4th.

"In the second race I got a fantastic start and led all the way around the track for a comfortable win."

Ashley said he was looking forward to the last two races.

"I'm feeling good and I'm confident that I can get the job done."

With 75 points, Kendall is one point ahead of Australian Jessica Crisp. Italian Alessandra Sensini leads the women's section with 22 points. Ashley is on 16 points and trails Bouman by two points.

Competition points are doubled for Saturday night's medal race.

- NZPA