Goodison guns for another medal

The RYA's Sacha Oswald previews the Laser Europeans in Split

Team GBR sailor Paul Goodison will be looking to maintain his position as the world number one Laser sailor this week when he competes at the Laser European championships in Croatia.

Goodison is one of the most consistent sailors on the circuit having medalled at practically every Olympic class event that he has sailed at in the last two years. He won the bronze medal at this event last year and since then has competed at five major Olympic class events in 2003 and out of those scored two silver and three bronze medals.

There are a number of other talented sailors within RYA Team GBR who will be looking to challenge Goodison at this event. Ed Wright is ranked number seven in the world and finished eighth at this event last year and team mates Mark Howard and Dan Holman have proven that they can win races at this level.

The competition within the class will be tough and there are a number of sailors capable of winning medals. The Swedish team are particularly strong with last years European champion Karl Suneson looking to defend his title. Suneson is on good form having won medals at both Palma and Kiel Olympic class regattas. Team mate Daniel Birgmark is ranked number three in the world and looks a strong contender having won the Olympic Test Event last year in Athens and more recently Palma regatta at the beginning of the year.

The event was due to commence on Monday but has been postponed due to a lack of breeze, it is hoped that the forecast will be better for Tuesday and that the event can get underway. The championship continues through until Saturday 2 August and twelve races are scheduled in total, with the first four days as qualifying races and the Friday and Saturday making up the final series.