Yachting: Slater heads Finn pack at world champs

New Zealand sailor Dan Slater has hit the front at the mid-point of yachting's Finn world championship in Denmark.

Slater collected a third placing in the first of two races this morning (NZT) and followed that up with a 20th in the second race when he struggled in light airs with an unsuitable sail.

However, by virtue of dropping his worst result so far, a 33rd placing in the opening race on Tuesday, Slater was able to draw level on 32 points with overnight leader, Zach Riley of the United States, and lead the championship on countback.

Slater, the silver medallist last year, was pleased with his performance in the first race of the day.

"I had a good start and rounded the first mark seventh then moved up to fifth by the bottom mark.

" I rounded the top mark third and down the run nothing changed but the guys around me on overall points all had bad races so that was good for my overall position."

Slater said he had no opportunity to change his light air sails used in the first race for the second race run in 12-14 knots of wind.

He was caught on the wrong side of a shifting wind to find himself deep in the fleet, but managed to gain some ground in the late stages to finish 20th.

"Although my day wasn't great it wasn't that bad either as overall, I now have the lead and will carry the leader's yellow dot on my sail tomorrow."

Four more races remain before the fleet heads into the medal races on Sunday.

- NZPA