Goodison, the current Olympic and world Champion, narrowly missed out on taking a sixth straight European crown in the Laser Standard event, missing out to Croatia’s winner Tonci Stipanovic on the final day of action. 

But for Laser Radial sailor Dobson, her silver in Tallinn marks her first time on the European Championship podium and, coupled with her silver at the ISAF Sailing World Cup event in France five weeks ago, is a timely run of form heading up to the World Championships which will be held on the Helensburgh sailor’s home waters in Largs next month.

"I’m really, really pleased," Dobson said. 

"I think I was only second by the skin of my teeth in the end and would’ve have been really disappointed if I’d not finished in the top three after being thereabouts all week.

"We had pretty much the range of conditions, from five to 20 knots during the week, but I really like it when it’s a mixture of things - plus it’s flat water and pretty shifty which I enjoy.

"The last few events have gone really well for me. 

"There have been a couple of people missing from here and the Worlds is bound to be a harder challenge, but I’m certainly happy with the way everything is going and having the Worlds at home is going to be pretty cool.”

The European Radial title also went Croatia’s way, courtesy of Tine Mihelic, while Britain’s up and coming Radial sailor Chloe Martin sailed an impressive series over the six-day event, claiming the under-21 European Championship title and finishing 10th overall.



Goodison (pictured) went into the final day’s racing in the bronze medal position, and managed to pull through into the silver medal spot after Friday’s two races but was unable to catch Stipanovic, who claimed gold ten points ahead of the British star.

He was, by his own admission, frustrated yet philosophical at not defending his title, having made a "couple of silly errors" earlier in the week.

"It’s a little bit frustrating not to have won for a sixth time, but at the same time you can’t expect to win every single event, much as you might like to," Goodison explained.

"I’m reasonably happy with the week, though - there have been some challenging offshore conditions - and I’m really looking forward now to a good solid couple of week’s training in Weymouth."

Fellow Laser sailor Nick Thompson endured a difficult second half of the week, finishing as the fifth European sailor and seventh in the overall regatta.

"It feels a little bit strange to be saying we’re disappointed with having won silver," said Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Olympic manager Stephen Park, "but Paul’s had such a fantastic run of five straight Laser men’s European titles so it is a little bit disappointing for him that he’s not been able to extend that run this week.

"It’s really pleasing, though, that we’re making ground the Laser Radial class where Charlotte’s silver consolidates the two World Cup medals we’ve won from the three events the sailors have taken part in during 2010. 

"It’s a real tribute to both the sailors’ hard work and the coaching efforts led by Chris Gowers but including Tom Saunt and others."