British claim medal sweep at IFDS World Championships

BRITISH sailors have claimed gold, silver and bronze at the IFDS World Championships in Medemblik.

SUCCESS: John Robertson and his Sonar crew celebrate their Sonar silver at the IFDS World Championships (Sander van der Borch)

Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell picked up their second straight world title in the two-person SKUD class while John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas earned a hard-fought silver in the Sonar event.

Megan Pascoe capped off the sweep of podium spots - with her first ever World Championship medal - a bronze in the 2.4mR class. 

"It feels awesome, although at the moment I'm really tired," said Rickham. 

"All that adrenaline high I've been on all week has now gone and my body is just unable to move.

"The last time we got to square up against the Americans, who are our main rivals, was in Miami so that was six months ago. To be able to come back with a win here couldn't be any better - and to do it at the Worlds obviously takes it to the next level."

Pascoe is facing a tough battle with Helena Lucas for the only British spot on the London 2012 Paralympic team, but insisted she was now brimming with confidence following a breakthrough bronze.

"I think the biggest thing I'll take from here is that I've shown I can be in that top rank.  I've definitely moved up a step and I now know that I can be in that top bunch," she said.

 "It's all very well people saying you can be up there, but it's not the same until you actually do it and finish there.

"For British boats to be up there on the podium in the other two classes as well is just brilliant.  It's been a hard couple of years for everybody, but the team seems to have pulled it together here. 

"The SKUDs are now double World Champions, the Sonars are finally back at the top after a few years of dryness and the 2.4mR battle is going to be as hot as ever so I think we've definitely got a chance of a medal or two come the Paralympics."