Bright start for sailor Cheng
Colin Cheng finished the first day of the Olympic sailing competition yesterday morning (Singapore time) in ninth place, after two races.
Racing in his second Olympics, after his debut in London 2012, the 26-year-old finished fifth in his first Laser race at the Marina da Gloria in Rio.
He then finished 20th in his second race to end the day with 25 points.
Cheng's coach Brett Beyer said: "It was a solid start for Colin with a fifth and 20th placing from the 46-boat fleet. In the first race, his downwind sailing was very good technically and tactically.
"In the second race, the wind became erratic with large pressure and angle changes. There were many boats making gains and losses around the course with each of these changes.
"So, too, did Colin, but some tactical errors cost him a little.
"Nonetheless, it was good to get the first day locked away and we can all sleep well knowing that his sailing is competitive with the very best in the world."
Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic topped the 46-man field after the first day.
He won the first race, and was fifth in the second.
The Laser sailors will race twice each day until Sunday, except on Friday - which is a rest day - after which the top 10 sailors will enter the medal race on Aug 16.
Cheng had a similar start in London four years ago, when he finished fourth in his first race. He eventually finished 15th, the best finish by an Asian in that class.
The 26-year-old and the other sailors were back in the water for the second day of sailing early this morning, but results were not available at press time.
RESULTS
Laser (46 boats)
- Colin Cheng: 5th (1st race), 20th (2nd race). Overall 9th
Laser Radial (36 boats)
- Elizabeth Yin: 19th, 29th. Overall 27th
Men's RS:X (36 boats)
- Leonard Ong: 33rd, 33rd, 35th. Overall 34th
Women's RS:X (26 boats)
- Audrey Yong: 25th, 25th, 24th. Overall: 25th
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