CHAMPION Hampshire sailor Pete Cumming has joined forces with French superstar Loick Peyron to defend his title in the European Extreme sailing Series.

The event will see nine of the world’s top skippers go head to head in hi-tech Extreme 40 catamarans, capable of blistering speeds of more than 40mph.

Cumming, from Warsash, has dominated the event since joining the tour in 2009, winning both the European and Asian series.

He has now partnered with Peyron – known as “Mr Multihull” for his expertise in sailing catamarans and trimarans – for another shot at glory.

Peyron will take on helming duties while Cumming will be responsible for trimming the sails on their boat, Oman Sail's Masirah.

Joining them for the first event in Sète, France, which starts today will be fellow Hampshire sailors Simon Hiscocks and Mark Bulkeley.

Peyron said: “The pressure to win is great, not because it is in France, my home country, but because we are a new team and we want to do well.”

Meanwhile, Hampshire solo sailing veteran Mike Golding, who last year turned his hand to racing Extreme 40s, will return to his Ecover team in the new role of trimmer.

Golding, also from Warsash, finished last in the 2009 European season but is back with a vengeance with a new team including the former Olympic pairing of Will Howden and Leigh McMillan.

Golding said: “Last season was a learning curve for all of us, and I hope this year will see us raise the bar in terms of performance on the water.

“Leigh will be fantastic on the helm, and we intend to make an impact on the leaderboard this season.”