NIKI Birrell held off the challenge of a familiar foe to win a gold medal on home water on Saturday.

The Knutsford sailor, along with Alexandra Rickham, claimed top spot in the Paralympic SKUD class at the World Cup in Weymouth and Portland, leaving Italian training partners Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti to take silver.

The two crews started the final day level on points, but the British duo bettered their rivals in both races to claim overall victory in the category by two points.

“We knew whoever had the best day would take the gold medal, so it was all or nothing,” said Birrell of a final day showdown with the Italian crew.

“Luckily we managed, with help from our coach Marcus Lynch, to get the boat on the right set-up. We seemed to have reasonably good pace as a result.

“We’re both really happy to get the gold medal; not just that, but sail well and finish the event on a high.”

Birrell and Rickham, five-time world champions and also Paralympic bronze medallists in 2012, enjoyed a World Cup experience in familiar surroundings.

“It’s nice to see the facilities being used,” said Rickham.

“It’s great for us, and it’s great too for UK sport as a whole.

“We’ve grown used to having all the classes together at big events around the world, but it’s always good to have a bit of time at home with everybody else here.”