Wright aiming high at Finn Europeans

Finn bronze for Ed Wright at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères © Richard Langdon / British Sailing Team

Finn star Ed Wright says European Championship gold is 'the aim of the game' this week as he prepares to upgrade his 2014 bronze when racing gets underway in Split, Croatia, on Tuesday (12 May).

The world number one Wright has five European Championship medals to his name in the men's heavyweight class, including a gold from 2006, and has high hopes of a return to the top step of the podium this week.

Wright, 37, can certainly peak for the big occasion, with six podium finishes at the Finn Gold Cup – the Class's World Championship – since stepping into the boat in 2004, in addition to his European Championships success.

But even so, he knows it will be a tough challenge for the title – in spite of the absence of his British Sailing Team stablemate Giles Scott, who has opted not to defend his 2014 crown in favour of a training trip to Rio.

"Not long ago, in 2010 we had the Europeans here, where it was a head to head with Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic in the medal race," recalled Wright of a tough challenge from the host nation's leading Finn sailor.

"This time I will do my best to come out on top."

"There are so many names to list who are threatening for the title next week, including the Hyeres World Cup top ten, Vasilij Zbogar, Zsombor Berecz, Ivan, Milan Vujasinovic, Josh Junior, Ioannis Mitakis and so many more that have made big improvements."

Wright is one of four British sailors to contest the event, with Podium Potential squad sailors Ben Cornish, James Hadden and Hector Simpson among the 80-strong line-up ready to race off the Dalmatian coast.

Competition begins on Tuesday 12 May, with two races scheduled per day until the final double points medal race scheduled for Sunday 17 May.

Regatta results will be available at finneuropeans.org/ec2015 with updates via the British Sailing Team's Facebook page and Twitter feed @BritishSailing.