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Defending World Champions, Carl EVANS and Peter BURLING (NZL) lead the open fleet after three races, with two wins and a second. Jo ALEH and Olivia POWRIE (NZL) lead the women's fleet after two races sailed today.

Blustery winds gusting up to 30 knots from the southwest prevailed over the race course off Takapuna today for the start of the 420 World Championships 2007 regatta. A number of boats suffered gear damage forcing some to retire early, with many more capsizing.

EVANS and BURLING, both just 16 years old have a five point lead over Mike SNOW-HANSEN and Joshua MCCORMACK (NZL), while Australians Will RYDEN and Max BRYDEN hold third.

ALEH And POWRIE Dominate

New Zealanders ALEH and POWRIE dominated the first day of competition in the women's fleet winning both races sailed. The blustery conditions did not faze the pair who both usually sail the single-handed Laser Radial.

Fellow Kiwis Sarah BILKEY and Rosie SARGISSON also sailed well on day one, placing second in the first race, only to be disappointed with a disqualification for crossing the start line early in the second race. They currently lie 24th in preliminary results from today.

Shelley HESSON and Bianca BARBARICH-BACHER (NZL) are four points behind the leading women with Imke BROCKERHOFF and Schwich DUISBURGER of Germany in third.

116 boats are competing in the regatta with 67 entries in the open division and 49 entries in the women's division.