Kiwis open up in style

New Zealand opened the running in impressive style at the Heineken Laser II World Championship at Dinghy Week in Cork yesterday when the Murray's Bay Yacht Club crew of Matthew Davies and Nathan Handley scored a 12th, a first and a second place. The Kiwi boat now has a lead of almost 30 points over the nearest boat, Ballyholme's Michael Ennis and Gavin Doig in second thanks to a 14th, 22nd and sixth placings. The extra race was held to make up for racing on Tuesday that was abandoned due to fog.

Weather was again decisive yesterday. In race one, a windshift on the first beat saw half the fleet caught on the right-hand side. Two of the key Irish boats will certainly use up the single discard for the event. European Champions Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh on McCready Boats suffered a 48th in that race while Laura Dillon and Ben O'Donoghue's Halidon took a 65th place hit.

Pride of place must go to Barry and Rob McConnell from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club for winning the opening race of the world series. A 17th in race two was spoiled by a Did Not Finish in the third race leaving the south coast pair in 40th overall.

Fitzpatrick and McHugh's return to form was marked by a third and a first in the next two races while Dillon and O'Donoghue had a ninth and a third. The two are now fifth and 15th respectively and will both look to improve.