Burton fights back from tough first sail

Australian sailor Tom Burton had to fight his way past 20 boats after a tough start left him in 41st position in his first Rio race.

The Laser sailor took a penalty turn at the start of his race and was stuck at the back of the fleet in the complex sailing conditions.

He finished 17th in his first race and eighth in his second to sit 10th overall after the first day.

"Not ideal for the first race but fought back from there," Burton said on Monday.

"Two decent starts but definitely could have been a better day."

Burton said the conditions were "tricky", with the breeze dying off at various points in the races, and shifting as it came through the heads of Guanabara Bay.

Croatian Tonci Stipanovic won the first race, while Brazilian Robert Scheidt, who has five Olympic medals in the Laser, won the second race.

Scheidt's wife Gintare, who is representing Lithuania, also won her second race of the day.

Stipanovic is first in the men's overall rankings, with eight more races and a medal race scheduled.