Qingdao: Paul Goodison secured Britain's third gold of the Olympic regatta when he made up for his Athens disappointment by winning the Laser title on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old had considered quitting the sport, such was his dismay at coming fourth four years ago.

Slovenia's Vasilij Zbogar, the Athens bronze medallist, went one better this time and Italian Diego Romero secured bronze.

Goodison and Zbogar leapt out of their boats and embraced each other in a bear-hug in the water after the finish. The pair then posed for photographers in Zbogar s boat before heading back to the marina.

Goodison held a commanding advantage over nearest pursuer Rasmus Myrgren after nine races in the opening series.

The Swede needed to win the medal race, coupled with his rival coming 10th and last to deny the Briton gold, but was sailed out of the medal positions by Goodison whose blocking tactics relegated Myrgren to the back of the fleet.

Goodison, began the regatta in slow fashion, finishing 15th in the first and third races before hitting form, as he had done when winning the Games test event in Qingdao last year.

While Goodison shone, double world champion and world number one Tom Slingsby failed to get into contention. The Australian was eliminated before the medal race, in which the top 10 from the opening series compete, and finished 22nd overall.

Athens Laser gold winner Robert Scheidt is competing in the Star class at the Games

Britain, the leading nation in Olympic sailing, have also won gold in the Finn and Yngling, and silver in the men's 470.
Source : Reuters