LYMINGTON’S Nick Thompson claimed Great Britain’s first medal of the ISAF Sailing World Championships in the Laser class today.

The 28-year-old admitted to mixed emotions after he took bronze following a tight battle in the medal race in Santander.

With two silvers and a bronze in the bag from previous World Championships, the Lymington sailor went into the finale effectively level-pegging with Australian series leader Tom Burton.

But it was the Netherlands’ Nicolas Heiner who took a convincing medal race victory and with it the title, while Burton came away with silver.

“If I am honest I am a little bit disappointed,” said Thompson.

“It was my chance to try and go one better than I had previously done previously but it was good to get a medal and to have done so in three major events this year.

“At the moment it is mixed feelings for sure. I think it has been one of the most challenging events I have done in a while.

“I have shown that I don’t have many weaknesses now which is rewarding. I will now work on a few of the smaller areas and try and do better next year.”