Perfect start made by Meech

AUCKLAND: Sam Meech made a perfect start to the Laser European championships in La Rochelle yesterday, winning both his races to take an early lead in the regatta.

He was joined near the top of the overall standings by fellow New Zealander Andrew McKenzie, who is fourth after finishing second in both his races.

Meech has been a model of consistency this year, always finishing in the top four, including collecting silver at the recent world cup regatta in Hyeres and bronze at the Princess Sofia regatta in Palma.

Another topquality fleet has assembled in France but, with 160 competitors in the Laser, the sailors are split into three groups for the first three days of qualifying before three days of gold fleet.

Meech came out on top in his races against the likes of Olympic silver medallist Tonci Stipanovic and fellow Croatian Filip Jurisic.

‘‘It was a good day for me and I managed to come away with two really good races,’’ Meech said.

‘‘We had fantastic conditions with about 12 knots and really nice waves so it was glamour sailing out there and my speed felt really good.

Susannah Pyatt made a steady start to the Laser Radial competition, settling into 24th, after a 14th and 12th in her two races. Olivia Christie was the next best of the New Zealanders in 39th after a 23rd and a 20th and Annabelle RennieYounger was 66th. — NZME