SOUTHAMPTON trio Rob and Peter Greenhalgh and Dan Johnson triumphed in the British Open Championship for 18-foot skiff sailors off Portland harbour.

Competing in their RMW Marine boat, the trio also won the European Cup.

Dave and Andy Richards, brothers of Hamble's Around Alone Race star Emma, were second in the latter event with Andy Fairley. The trio are pictured above.

Olympic aspirant Alistair Richardson, from Southampton, was among the crew that were third in that event.

After having their boats held up by customs officials, the Aussie and American contingent finally made it onto the water on Saturday.

Despite a ripped kite in the opening race, RMW Marine managed to finish in second place backed up by two firsts in the ensuing rounds.

Former world champion John Winning, from Sydney, was a close second in Yandoo.

Sunday morning and a glassy calm in Portland Harbour seemed to offer little prospect of the scheduled three races to be sailed.

With two days behind and the seasoned skiff fraternity primed, patience had to prevail.

At around 12.30pm ripples spread across the harbour and three short course races were sailed. The result was what must be some of the closest 18-footer racing ever seen in this country.

The seven races making up the Open series were also the final seven of the 12-race series for the Euro Cup.

The Southampton trio won the Euro Cup by the equivalent of a very long beard by counting nine first places and one second.

FINAL TOP FIVE RESULTS:

1. RMW Marine - Rob Greenhalgh/Dan Johnson/Peter Greenhalgh, 14 points

2. Yandoo - John Winning/Euan McNicoll/Geoff Beauchop, 15

3. General Electric - Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin/Jonny Meers, 25

4. Total Recall - Rony Hannan/Cameron McDonald/Greg Windust, 27

5. Omega Smeg - Trevor Barnabas/Chad Fridis / Ed Smyth, 31

EURO CUP TOP FIVE:

1. RMW Marine - Rob Greenhalgh/Dan Johnson/ Peter Greenhalgh, 11 series points

2. Radii - Andy Richards/Andy Fairley/Dave Richards, 32

3. White Stuff - Alistair Richardson/Chris Clealy/Dave Smith, 34

4. Hermes - Ed Browne/Mark Tait/Lachlan Torrance, 35

5. Link Associates - Andy Rice/Mat Alvarda/Nick Murphy, 43