Murrumba Downs sailor Ashley Stoddart making all the right moves on the Rio water

IN her debut Olympic Games, northside sailor Ashley Stoddart is certainly giving it her all and is only four points shy of the leader.

Australia's Ashley Stoddart sails during the Laser Radial Women sailing race on Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST

ASHLEY Stoddart made a fine start to the Olympic laser radial sailing regatta on Guanabara Bay in the early hours of this morning.

The 23-year-old from Murrumba Downs finished eighth and then sixth in the opening two races to finish day one with 14 points and equal third in the overall standings.

Conditions were described as “tricky” with winds “dying” off, but Stoddart, a member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly, is only four points behind the leader.

Australia's Ashley Stoddart sails during the Laser Radial Women sailing race on Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST

“This is my first Olympics and my first day on the water and I’m really pleased with the result,” said Stoddart on the Australia Olympic website.

“We’ve been training here for the last couple of years. When I got out there I was thinking this actually doesn’t feel that different.”

The former Mueller College, Rothwell student who is now at UQ, will be back on the water just after 2am tomorrow morning for two more races in the series of 10.

The competition finishes on August 16 when the medal will be held.