Image: Beau Outteridge/Sail Melbourne

Team GB windsurfer Tom Squires kicked 2020 off in style with victory at Sail Melbourne.

Squires led from early in the regatta, dominating in the breezy conditions Melbourne threw at the fleet, and managed to defend the top spot as the wind went light on the final day.

The win is a timely boost for Squires, who was picked for Team GB in October last year, ahead of the RS:X World Championships just across Port Phillip Bay in Sorrento next month.

“Sail Melbourne has always been a prestigious event and to win and to pull it off in the Olympic year is a great start to 2020,” said Squires.

“It’s been super fun racing here with 18 other great windsurfers. For me the strong wind is what I love and to have three days of 10-20 knots was spot on.

“The real challenge for me was the last day – although I had a little lead I knew that in the lighter breeze I could have a few bad races and really suffer in the results.

“I managed to keep myself together and secure gold. It’s been a long time since I’ve won anything international but hopefully this is the beginning of something good leading towards Tokyo 2020.

“There were a few top guys missing from the fleet at this regatta, and the worlds in Sorrento will be a real test. It’s a good confidence boost to win this event though and I’m now looking forward to racing the big boys next month.”

Squires’ British Sailing Team compatriots Kieran Holmes-Martin and Andy Brown came home eighth and 12th respectively.

In the Laser fleet Elliot Hanson was the top Brit, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in fourth place.

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