Saxton and Diamond settle for silver at Nacra 17 Worlds

Ben Saxton and Hannah Diamond's hopes of a world title were thwarted by the weather but British sailing double act had no complaints about silver.

Saxton and crew Diamond were guaranteed a medal heading in to the final day of the first ever Nacra 17 World Championship, a class that will make its Olympic debut in Rio.

But they were prevented from upgrading into gold due to a lack of breeze off The Hague, meaning France's Billy Besson and Marie Riou took the title by just three points.

“I’m massively pleased at winning a medal. The sport’s all about winning medals in a few years’ time in Rio, so to prove we can get a medal here is pretty cool,” said Saxton.

“We would have loved the chance to have had a go at the French guy but it wasn’t to be.  We’re really happy with a silver and Hannah’s done a good job."

Meanwhile, Ed Wright claimed European silver in the Finn class after a lack of wind in Warnemunde, Germany also prevented any medal racing on Saturday’s final day.

“I’ve changed a lot of my set-up over the last year, so now I have a more light-wind and lightweight set up with Rio in mind,” said Wright, a silver medallist at last year's World Championships.

“It’s good to know that I haven’t lost too much of my speed as a result and am really happy to come away with a medal this week.”

“I think we’re expecting similar conditions for our Worlds in Estonia next month so I’m looking forward to that.”

© Sportsbeat 2013