Tricky and shifty on day two in Weymouth

Andrew Murdoch has opened the Weymouth and Portland 2011 International Regatta with a strong start to lie second overall after day one for the Laser fleet.

The Laser Radial, both 470 and RS:X fleets were on the water last night all sailing two races apiece in moderate and shifty, but sunny conditions. “The breeze ranged between 8 to 15 knots,” reports Jez Fanstone, Team Director, “with quite big shifts. Some courses were trickier than others.

Murdoch is the best placed of the NZL Sailing Team at this early stage after placing 4th and 5th in last night’s races he has nine points giving him second place behind Australian rival Tom Slingsby on six points.

Natalia Kosinska tackled the tricky shifts in fine form returning two solid races – a 5th and a 7th – to improve her overall position in the Women’s RS:X fleet up to 7th overall, climbing four places overnight.

Jon-Paul Tobin is 8th place in the Men’s RS:X after a 9th and a 16th in racing last night.

Elsewhere in the Laser Radial and the Men’s and Women’s 470 fleets New Zealand is lying mid fleet after a mixed start to racing. Sara Winther is in 17th, Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie are in 17th and Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders are lying 18th.

Day three of racing for the NZL Sailing Team will see the full team in action with the Finn, 49er and Star fleets set to get underway tonight.

Weymouth and Portland 2011 International Regatta
New Zealand’s Current Standings

2nd - Andrew Murdoch: Laser (4, 5)
17th - Sara Winther: Radial (11, 26)
8th - Jon-Paul Tobin: RS:X Men (6, 6, 9, 16)
7th - Natalia Kosinska: RS:X Women (12, 10, 4, 7)
17th - Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie: 470 Women (21, 11)
18th - Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders: 470 Men (17, 16)
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke: 49er – Racing starts tonight
Dan Slater: Finn – Racing starts tonight
Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk: Star – Racing starts tomorrow night