A TEAM of blind sailors celebrated a golden victory after winning an international competition with help from a University of Chichester student.

Undergraduate Ben Hazeldine, 20, skippered the Great Britain squad to first place at the recent world championships held on Lake Michigan in the USA.

The second-year student, undertaking a BA (Hons) degree in Sport and Business Management, acted as tactician for the winning crew who finished ahead of 19 competitors.

He said: “It is a wonderful feeling not only to reach the pinnacle of a sport I am passionate about but also to hold that gold medal in my hands after dedicating so much time and effort.”

The world championships, hosted under Paralympic rules, comprises teams of four sailors including a visually-impaired helm and trimmer alongside a sighted jib and tactician.

Ben and his crew won the international competition, held across six days in three divisions based on the level of visual impairment, with a flawless scoreline of only first-place finishes.

The student, who has been racing for more than a decade, is also part of Team GB’s provisional sailing squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He said: “We spent the last year practising for the world championships, learning together as a team to prepare the boat and make sure we are fastest.

“The role of the tactician is to devise the race strategy but, day to day, I also work with and guide the blind sailors in the gym and out on the open water.

“Many of the athletes involved are born blind, some have been in accidents and lost their sight, but all are visually impaired and are not able to see the equipment.”

To find out more about Ben Hazeldine and his international success on the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics go to www.facebook.com/Bespokesailing.