Dominant Pascoe claims 2.4mR world crown

Megan Pascoe rounded off a dominant display of racing to claim her first 2.4mR World Championship title in Hobart, Australia, this weekend.

The 29-year-old secured the Open Worlds victory a day ahead of time, having amassed an unassailable lead ahead of the final scheduled day of competition on Sunday (10 January).

But even with her world title confirmed before the final two races of the ten-race series, the Ardingly sailor still impressed on Sunday, and concluded her regatta counting four race wins and eight races inside the top three.

"It's pretty awesome!" admitted Portland-based Pascoe.

"Going into Saturday's race, I didn't really think about the possibility that I could win a day early, but it's fantastic that I did."

Pascoe has been a regular podium performer at both disabled and Open World Championships for the one-person 2.4mR Paralympic class, but this is her first time on the top step and she was determined not to be outdone by brother Sam, himself a World Champion in the International 14 class.

"We now have two World Champions in the family – both in January and both in Australian venues, so it must be something about the month and the year!

"For me to actually go out and do this in this style is great," added Pascoe, who ended the regatta with a 21-point margin over home hero Matt Bugg. "I've only ever had a couple of regattas like that where everything has happened as it should and you've had that little bit of luck so I'm really pleased."

Hobart's river Derwent certainly provided a tough test for the World Championship competitors, with challenging wind conditions and big place changes throughout the racing.

"The river Derwent hasn't been playing ball – people say it's the hardest end to the Sydney-Hobart race, just getting up the river, and I can understand that. It's a very, very interesting river to sail on and I don't really know how I've come out of it so well!"

Aspiring Rio 2016 sailors completed the podium, with Matt Bugg taking silver and New Zealand's Paul Francis bronze.

Although Pascoe's own hopes of a Paralympic Games berth didn't come to fruition for Rio, with defending 2.4mR Paralympic Champion Helena Lucas having earned the nod for Great Britain last year, she is resolute that she will get her chance.

"I will be competing at the Paralympics; it just might not be this one!" she said confidently.

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