Denmark's reigning world champion Anne-Marie Rindom won in her first race of the ILCA Laser Radial Women's World Championship ©Getty Images

Denmark's Anne-Marie Rindom started off her title defence with a win at the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Laser Radial Women's World Championship in Melbourne in Australia.

The reigning world champion was in the yellow group and finished ahead of Greece's Vasileia Karachaliou to win the only race on day one.

Germany's Svenja Weger was third in the group ahead of The Netherlands' Mirthe Akkerman and Canada's Sarah Douglas.

In the blue group, France's Marie Barrue took minimum points as she won ahead of Switzerland's Maud Jayet and Marit Bouwmeester, the Dutch three-times world champion.

Barrue had a career-high finish in the Championship last year, coming fifth overall.

Her compatriot Marie Bolou finished fourth today ahead of Australia's Mara Stransky, who was the highest finisher from the home nation.

Belgium's Emma Plasschaert, who finished fourth overall last year, could only muster ninth in her opener.

However, Britain's Alison Young was the biggest surprise of the day, with the 2019 bronze medallist finishing down in 21st.

Day two will feature races two, three and four.

The leaders will form before the breakaway to decide medals after six races.