NIKI Birrell was part of a crew that won Great Britain’s first medal at the Para World Sailing Championships, taking silver in the SKUD class.

The five-time champion, who battled problems with equipment throughout the regatta in Melbourne, trailed hosts Australia – represented by reigning world champions Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch – who claimed an overall victory with a day to spare in the two-person event.

Italy took home a bronze medal from Port Phillip Bay.

“I think realistically we knew that [silver] was the best that could happen,” said the former Lymm High School student, who partnered Alexandra Rickham.

“We sailed over some weed on day two and didn’t back down so ended up 13th, and then we had a problem with Alex’s canting seat which put a lot of points on the scoreboard earlier in the week.

“We bounced back quite well though, and kept the scores in the top three.

“I think the scores would have been a lot closer otherwise.

“That being said, the Australians sailed really well, and deserve their title. We’re going to have to find some more.”

Birrell, who claimed bronze with Rickham at the Paralympics in 2012, says he is motivated by the challenge of going for gold in Brazil next year.

He added: “This is my favourite time of the cycle.

“It was great to see so many boats, and it’s fantastic to be going racing where a gap of a few points isn’t enough because it can swing round.

“I have respect for the whole fleet, and enjoyed the racing, but it would have been nicer if we’d won!”