WEYMOUTH-based Bryony Shaw added another major medal to her collection yesterday as she won gold at the RS:X European Championships in Sicily, Italy.

The world number one ranked-Shaw, who claimed bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, took first place in the final medal race to seal overall victory.

With nothing to choose between the leading women going into the last race, any one of Shaw, Polish sailors Malgorzata Bialecka and Zofia Noceti-Klepacka, and the Israeli Maayan Davidovich could have secured gold.

In winds reaching 14 knots and perfect planing conditions, Shaw, second in 2013, led from the first upwind to the finish, extending her lead throughout to take the European crown.

“The racing has been really close all week,” she said. “We only had five qualifying races and had to use the lay day as we lost the first day of racing.

“We also had no racing on the first day of the gold fleet so had three races on the penultimate day with a really nice breeze.

“Off the start line it was just about getting a lane in the medal race, then I stayed between the fleet and the next mark and was in a controlling position round mark one, and I just extended from there.

“I had to keep an eye on both the Polish girls, the Israeli girl was also in the mix, so it was just who beat who for the win.

“I am really happy. It is something that has always eluded me. I have finished second a number of times and now all the hard physical and technical work has really paid off.”

Isobel Hamilton missed qualification for the medal race by just one point, however, she went on to win her final race to finish 10th European – 11th overall – and was happy with her result.

“I really struggled on the first day of racing in the light winds, but I was quite consistent for the rest of the week,” she said.

“I was annoyed that I missed the medal race, especially by such a small margin, however winning this race has really made up for it.

“There was a chance that I could really fall down the results list but I didn’t. I’ve finished better than last year as well.”

Meanwhile, British Sailing Team Podium Squad sailors were also in action.

Imogen Sills finished 31st, Noelle Finch 36th, and Saskia Sills 46th in the Women’s fleet.

British youth sailor Emma Wilson rounded off her first senior regatta in 24th.

Tom Squires finished top British sailor in the RS:X men’s race in 17th (18th overall), while Joe Bennett, Kieran Martin and Sam Sills were 25th, 42nd and 59th respectively.

Weymouth’s Olympic silver medallist Nick Dempsey was not in attendance, instead opting for a domestic training session.