WEYMOUTH-based sailor Paul Goodison finished sixth yesterday in the Laser class on the first day of the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.

The day started in difficult conditions with south-westerly winds gusting 25-35 knots across the race courses.

The Laser and Laser Radial classes were the first to start the day's racing, beating into 25 plus knot winds, with boats broaching and masts breaking.

Britain though, were not deterred and dominated the Laser Radial fleet taking first, second and third overall at the end of the day's racing.

The heavy conditions did not suit Goodison who finished sixth overall, with Germany's Kamrath taking pole position on the leader board.

The Wyke Regis competitor is competing underweight, having trimmed downed for the light airs racing at the Pre-Olympic event in Qingdao last month.

Skandia Team GBR 470 sailors Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield dominated the second race, rounding the first leward mark a massive 40 metres ahead of their nearest rival.

The British team held the lead for the second race, placing the pair first overall at the end of the day's racing in the men's 470 class. Swedish sailors, Therese Torgersson and Vendela Zachrisson and Britain's Christine Bassadone and Goodison's partner Saskia Clark are neck and neck at the top of the 470 women's fleet with both teams gaining a first and second place yesterday.

The men's and women's RSX sailors saw limited racing due to the turbulent winds, only sailing a race each.

Britain's Lucy Horwood took control of her race, securing first place overall, but at the cost of damage to her thumb.

Horwood has not pulled out of the regatta but will sit out today's racing.

The Finn class was the last to return to land as the heavyweight dinghy relished the strong winds across the course.

Britain's Ed Wright fought a close battle against Sweden's Daniel Birgmark and Spain's Rafael Trujillo.

Unfortunately for Wright, he rounded the wrong mark and the Swede passed him, clinching first place.

By 3pm all classes were postponed indefinitely, with the forecast predicating 35 plus knots across the region overnight.