Mills Barton takes confidence from trip Down Under

From Ryan Bangs in Fremantle, Sportsbeat

ALEX Mills Barton admitted to being 20 places off his target at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Australia - but believes there is plenty of cause of optimism.

ON COURSE: Despite admitting to being off the pace at the World Championships, Alex Mills Barton insists he can take a lot of positives away from Australia

The 20-year-old was one of six Brits sailing in the Laser class and finished as the third highest behind silver medalist Nick Thompson and fifth-placed Paul Goodison in 50th.

With the near 150-strong fleet being split into gold, silver and bronze groups dependent on ranking after the first six races, Mills Barton was placed in the middle one.

He could therefore only finish as high as 50th overall following the next four races but after doing so insisted he will take plenty of positives from it heading into the New Year.

"I didn't quite finish where I wanted to but I sailed well in between. I was aiming for the top 30 and I was 20 places off of that," said Skandia Team GBR sailor Mills Barton.

"It was a long week but it is a bit weird to have it all finished because for the last four months I have been trying to peak for it so it is weird to be finished so quickly.

"It is quite hard when you get put into the silver fleet but I won it and it is a good feeling to know that I can lead a series and win a series.

"It has been a great experience, qualifying for the gold, silver and bronze was the hardest fleet I have ever sailed in.

"So I have taken a big step and I have lots to learn but I think I sailed well. I am pleased with how I sailed, I just have a few mistakes to fix and hopefully I can finish higher up next time."

Mills Barton was making his second senior World Championship appearance in Fremantle having finished 83rd in Canada in 2009 and won't have to wait long for a third.

Germany will host the 2012 edition in May but Mills Barton is expecting it to be just as hard as his previous outing in Western Australia.

"I think I have got a lot of strengths, my boat speed is good especially upwind, it is just downwind that I need to work on quite a bit before the next season," he added.

"I do have quite a busy few months and I will be trying to do well at the next worlds. That will be just as hard probably but hopefully I would have made some gains by then."

Investment specialist Skandia is the principal sponsor of the British sailing team. For more information go to www.skandiateamgbr.com

© Sportsbeat 2011