Racing got underway yesterday for the world’s top Finn sailors in La Rochelle, for the first day of the European championship. After racing was postponed first thing due to lack of wind, the event finally got underway in 8kts of breeze.

The 1996 Olympic gold medallist Mateusz Kusznierewicz of Poland was the most consistent sailor of the day in the tricky conditions, scoring two second places to give him the overall lead.

Double Olympic gold medallist and reigning European champion Ben Ainslie did not have the strongest start to the regatta scoring a 29th place, but he quickly followed this up with a fourth in the second race which took place in 10kts of breeze. Teammate Andrew Simpson finished just behind Ainslie in the first race of the day, but got the better of him in race two finishing one place in front in third.

A total of nine races are scheduled for the event which concludes on Sunday 15 May.