Paul sails away with gold

REIGNING Olympic Champion Paul Goodison continued his countdown to next year’s London Games when he came out on top in a battle with one of his chief rivals.

The 30-year-old took gold at the top Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma after overcoming a strong challenge from current World Champion Tom Slingsby in the Laser event in Majorca.

Goodison had to be at his best to beat off Aussie Slingsby and fellow Brit Nick Thompson after all three were effectively level on points heading into the final day.

The finishing order between the trio would determine the order of the podium spots and Goodison took the initiative early on, rounding the first windward mark in first place. He kept his medal rivals firmly behind him for the entire race, finishing third with Slingsby and Thompson in fifth and seventh in the ten-boat race.

'It was going to be whoever was going to cross the line first, so the only real option was to go and win the race,' said Goodison.