Dempsey injured on way to victory in Weymouth

Britain was back in medal winning form on the water today as Nick Dempsey won the RS-X Windsurfer World Championship on the new Olympic track in Weymouth.

But the win came at a price as Dempsey will have to sit out at least the first half next week of what is the biggest Olympic regatta of the year, Sail for Gold, nursing a hamstring strain.

"This was always going to be the pinnacle of the year for me," said Dempsey, who added: "My body is broken. I have been training flat out for the last four months, so my body needs a break and my mind needs a break. But I am happy with the win, all the pain goes out of the window."

The win was some compensation for Dempsey after being fourth at the Olympic Games last year, where his wife Sarah (then Ayton) won gold in the three-woman Yngling keelboat.

Dempsey went into the final, double points, medal race assured of silver but needing to beat Israeli rival Nimrod Mashiah by at least two places to secure the gold.

Mashiah fouled Dempsey at the start, had to take penalty turns, and in doing so finished seventh as the 32-year old, who lives locally, won the race in a brisk 14 to 16-knot breeze.

In the women's division, China bronze medallist Bryony Shaw went out with a flourish by winning the final race, but it was too late to prevent sixth overall as the top two places were taken by Sapin's Marina Alabau and Blanca Manchon.