A CAVERSHAM sailor has been crowned a European Champion in Liberty class sailing after a four day competition.

Paul Phillips has only been sailing in the Liberty class for a few months before the four-day competition at the Rutland Water Visitor Centre, in Oakham, Rutland, at the beginning of July.

Mr Phillips was the National Champion in the smaller Hansa 303 class and took on more experienced Liberty Class sailors from around the UK and abroad over seven races.

A spokesman for the Frensham Pond Sailability, for people of all ages and a wide range of dsisabilities, based in Frensham, Surrey, said: "After the first day’s races in strong winds Paul was lying second and then had to sit out day two due to fickle winds.

"A strong performance on the third day, when Paul won all three races in medium winds and fine weather, put him in the lead.

"He consolidated that with a win on the final day to become European Champion, ahead of three former UK National Champions of the class.

"Paul’s success also ensured that the Great Britain team won a prestigious trophy as top European nation at the championships after considering the results in all five classes."