Yachting: Strong start for NZ sailors

New Zealand sailors have made a healthy start to the French Olympic Sailing Week regatta off Hyeres, France yesterday. Finn sailor Dan Slater, Laser helmsman Andrew Murdoch and the men's 470 crew of Carl Evans and Peter Burling were all placed in the top five after the first day.

The first day for Beijing-bound Laser Radial sailor Jo Aleh was marred by a black flag in the second race to follow her fifth placing in the first. She is 41st overall.

Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy were 14th in the 21-boat fleet after 11th and 14th-place efforts. Steffanie Williams is the best placed of the three young Kiwis contesting the RS:X windsurfing, lying in 21st place.