ROUND-UP: EQUESTRIAN: Denis Lynch and Lantinus are one of 14 combinations in joint 14th place following yesterday's first qualifier in the individual show jumping competition at Sha Tin, where they all incurred a single time penalty, writes Margie McLoone.

The next two rounds will be held tomorrow and on Monday, the final, for which 35 riders will qualify, taking place on Thursday. A second round, in which the top 20 jump, will decide the medals.

Of the 13 riders who got home within the 88 seconds allowed, none was more popular than Hong Kong's Patrick Lam on Urban. The Swiss Christina Liebherr was the first to leave all the poles intact within the time on No Mercy; the last was Breezie Madden of the US with Authentic.

That combination produced one of three clear rounds for the US, leaving them in pole position for the team competition.

SAILING: A sixth place in yesterday's first race for Peter O'Leary and Stephen Milne in the Star class at Qingdao marked their start to the Games and the return of wind to the Yellow Sea venue, writes David Branigan.

The racing concluded, however, for Timothy Goodbody, who ended his Finn single-handed series in 21st overall.

Britain's Ben Ainslie appears set to take gold in the medal race final and is guaranteed silver at least, with Zach Railey of the US hunting in the runner-up place.

Meanwhile, Ciara Peelo produced her best result of the series so far in the Laser Radial with a seventh place yesterday that brings her to 15th overall.

Another back-of-the-fleet result for Ger Owens and Phil Lawton in the 470 leaves the 470 crew in 14th place.