BRITAIN’S best sailors took to the waters of Weymouth and Portland for the first of three National Ranking events.

The 2013 RYA Autumn Olympic Classes National Ranking Series, staged at the Weymouth and Port-land National Sailing Academy, saw challenging and shifty conditions.

After five races for most of the boat classes on the first day, extremely gusty conditions cancelled action for all but the 470 dinghy sailors and RS:X windsurfers on the Sunday.

London 2012 silver medallist Nick Dempsey, pictured, showed his pedigree, claiming six out of seven RS:X race wins.

He tweeted: “We almost didn't make it back after the last race...!

“A good 40 knots hit us and left us all heading towards the harbour wall at some speed. After sitting it out for 20 minutes the wind eased and we made it back.”

He added: “It’s very nice to be racing in Weymouth again. I’m lucky to have such a good group of guys to train and race with.”

Fresh from claiming victory at the Semaine Olympique Francaise earlier this month, Portland’s Giles Scott won the event’s Finn heavyweight dinghy racing.

Recently-retired 49er sailor Stevie Morrison achieved a weekend victory with Sophie Ainsworth in the 49erFX mixed skiff event.

London 2012 Paralympic champion Helena Lucas topped the 13-strong 2.4mR Paralympic class leaderboard, with Portland’s Megan Pascoe just two points behind in second place.

The next series events, which are compulsory for all British Sailing Team Podium and Podium Potential Squad members, will run this weekend and November 16-17.