FORMER Paralympic sailor Megan Pascoe claimed National and Tidal gold in the 2.4mR class at the 2018 Poole Regatta.

Portland-based Pascoe, who sails out of Weymouth, Castle Cove and Frensham Pond Sailing Clubs, held off a strong challenge from Parkstone’s Jonathan Currell to secure the title by nine points.

Pascoe, who has a form of cerebral palsy that affects one side of her body, has left the British Sailing team, allowing her to concentrate on more local races.

Speaking about her success, she admitted to Echosport that a victory “was always on the cards”.

She said: “It was very tricky racing and fluky winds – luck was a big part of it.

“It was always on the cards that I had a very good chance of winning, but we had pretty much the best of Britain to offer.

“There was a young guy from Parkstone nipping at my heels, but I haven’t lost domestically for a while.

“Day one went very well and day two was shaky. I went into day three in equal first with two races left, but I managed to come away with it in the end.”

For Pascoe, who took four wins from the eight races in her class, the Poole Regatta triumph represented another opportunity to return to local waters and support meets in her area.

She said: “It’s been a while. Being on the Paralympic team I’ve not done as many domestic events as I wanted to.

“Now I’m retired (from Paralympic racing) I can do more. It’s nice to be at home and support your local sailing clubs.”