Sailing: Bashford takes European title

AN earlier second and two wins in the last two races gave the Australian boatbuilder, Ian Bashford, the Etchells 22 European Championship in Cowes yesterday, writes Stuart Alexander.

Britain's Tim Law, who had been leading going into the sixth and final race in the Solent, was over the line at the start yesterday and so was disqualified. He still took second place, just ahead of the former world champion, Dennis Conner, who was disqualified from the third race.

Two disqualifications were too many for the British-based Danish Olympic gold medallist, Poul-Richard Hoj-Jensen. He was also disqualified from the third race and then again following a protest by a fellow competitor in the fifth race, leaving him 16th.

Chasing the leading group was the New Zealander, Graham Deegan, and Britain's Chris Jago.