SIMON Mussell claimed the bragging rights from Highcliffe Sailing Club colleague Gary Langdown with victory in the Contender class at last weekend’s Weymouth Regatta.

Langdown stole a march with victory in the first of six races but a fourth-placed finish behind winner Mussell in race number two set the tone for the rest of the competition.

Mussell rounded off Saturday with second spot behind former world champion Stuart Jones (Datchet Water SC) while Nick Grace (Castle Cove) remained in contention with a fourth and two third-place finishes on the opening day.

Sunday saw Mussell top the bill once more with Langdown in second, roles which were reversed in race number five as the top two stamped their authority on proceedings.

There were two points between the duo going into the final showdown meaning third would have been enough for Mussell to take the honours, however, he won in style by completing his hat-trick of first-place finishes as Langdown finished third to retain second spot overall.

The results will stand both men in good stead for their trip to Kuhlungborn on the Baltic coast of Germany for the European Championships held between Saturday, July 26 and Friday, August 1.

David Evans (Poole YC) was 17th overall with a best performance 11th in the second race. Club-mate Tony Sawyer was 20th in the fleet of 23 boats.

Elsewhere, Martin Cooney and Peter Frith (Poole YC) won the Osprey fleet with club-mates Richard Marshall and Peter Greg in third.