Sporting Digest: Sailing

Ben Ainslie, the reigning national, European and World Laser champion, got off to a good start in Medemblik, the Netherlands yesterday as he notched up a first and a third in the opening pair of races held in moderate conditions at the Spa Olympic classes regatta.

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, almost ground to a halt yesterday afternoon as Dawn Riley, the only woman skipper in the upcoming America's Cup, saw her new yacht, America True, given a dedication dousing of Bay water by one of her former mentors, Buddy Melges. The 75-foot yacht was minus mast and keel, which have already been shipped to Auckland. The hull follows next Monday and Riley's mixed crew will be the first to practice in a new generation yacht on Hauraki Gulf when they arrive in July.