Yachting: Kiwis excel in World Cup series

Andrew Murdoch is currently in second place in the Laser fleet. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand sailors continue to excel in the final round of the World Cup series for Olympic classes at Weymouth in England.

No fewer than 10 New Zealand crews are in the top 10 of their classes after the third day of competition today.

Three New Zealanders are in the leading 10 in the Laser fleet, headed by Andrew Murdoch in second place.

Murdoch posted fifth and 15th placings today in a 180-boat fleet to trail Olympic champion Paul Goodison, of Britain, while Sam Meech improved from 21st overall to fourth place after finishing third and sixth.

Compatriot Josh Junior, who won two races yesterday, is in seventh overall after finishing 14th and 13th today.

In the 49er class, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are second overall, six points behind a French combination, following placings of second and 14th.

Star sailors Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk slipped from the lead overnight after placings of 10th, 22nd and 25th saw them drop to ninth place in the 36-boat field.

John Paul-Tobin registered his third win in the men's RS:X to go alongside an eighth placing to sit in fourth position, four places ahead of compatriot Tom Ashley.

Dan Slater lies sixth in the Finn class after posting third, ninth and 14th placings, while Sara Winther improved from 13th to sixth overall in the Laser Radial after finishing sixth today.

Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders are 10th in the men's 470 following sixth and fourth placings.

- NZPA