IAN Southworth has completed a hat-trick of European championships.

The managing director of Hamble-based Ullman Sails UK has just completed his third successive J24 title.

Southworth and the crew of Hedgehog - an extensively restored 1987 British-built Rogers hull - dominated the championship held in Poole Bay.

Southworth and company grabbed seven first places, three second places and an extra 1.3 points for redress following a successful request to the International Jury after a black-flagged start.

Despite not sailing the last race, Southworth secured 14.3 points from 11 races.

Double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, was tenth in her first J24 Regatta.

Southworth, who hails from Lancashire, first won the championship in 1988.

He became the European 18-foot Skiff Champion in 1997, and was third in the worlds the following year.

Southworth has finished third and sixth at the last two J24 World Championships.

Over the last two seasons he has dominated the Hunter 707 class as both national champion, Cowes week winner and winter/spring series champion.

Ian Southworth, second from left, is pictured with his crew of Andy McLelland (cockpit), Chris McLaughlin (tactician), Nigel Smith (mast) and Mark Hayman (bow).

l The JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Match racing Series kicked off last weekend at Queen Mary Sailing Club, Staines.

Some of Britain's top match racers were showing off their match racing skills, including +39 America's Cup helmsman and Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy, from Hayling Island, who took overall victory to land a place in the grand final on March 9-11, 2007.