Yachting: Murdoch wins Laser double

Andrew Murdoch. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Beijing Olympian Andrew Murdoch yesterday secured the domestic double crown in the highly competitive laser class, backing up his national title last month with a win in the Sail Auckland regatta.

Going into the medal race, just one point separated Murdoch and local rival Mike Bullot in the standings.

Josh Junior took the win but Murdoch had still done enough to take out the regatta, sneaking home in seventh in front of Bullot in ninth.

Australia's Tom Burton secured the bronze.

Tom Ashley topped the podium once again with a win in the men's RS:X. Ashley was second home in yesterday's medal race behind Dorian van Rijsselberge, who in winning the final double-points race secured the silver medal.

Jon-Paul Tobin was presented with the bronze medal after finishing on equal points with Antonio Cozzolino, but coming off better on count-back.

Kate Ellingham from the New Zealand sailing squad was the winner in the women's fleet, her closest rival Natalia Kosinska retiring after day three with an injury. Ellingham won the medal race and took out the event with a 12-point winning margin from Justina Sellers.

In the largest fleet of the regatta, Olympic campaigner Sara Winther took victory over New Zealand's best and other international competition in the radial rig laser including top youth, masters and women sailors.

Michael Cate was second and Nicholas Croft was third.

Double Olympic medallist for Great Britain Nick Rogers, sailing with Chris Grube, was simply too good for the Kiwis on the 470 course, winning the regatta by a massive 17-point margin.

Competition was tight among the chasing pack which featured women's crew Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, and men's crew Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders.

Dan Slater took out the Finn class, beating Rafael Trujillo of Spain. Up-and-comer Matt Coutts came home in third place.

In both Paralympics classes, visiting internationals took the top spot in both the SKUD18 and the 2.4 metre.