RIO-bound sailor Nick Thompson admitted he had overcome a mental struggle to win his second Laser World Championship crown.

The Lymington man secured victory by 12 points over French rival Jean-Baptiste Bernaz in Vallarta, Mexico as he successfully defended the title he won last year.

Thompson got his regatta off to a superb start with two race wins on the opening day and never relinquished his advantage.

However, the 30-year-old revealed how victory had proved anything but straightforward.

He said: "It was a pretty tricky event. I was leading from day one and so I was a little bit stressed with that, being the defending world champion. But I’m over the moon to have finished on top.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little bit of extra pressure. It’s something I tried not to think about and I really tried very hard to focus on each race. I think I managed to cope with it pretty well.”

Thompson is due to compete in his first Olympics in Rio and he is in high spirits ahead of a hugely-important summer.

He added: “It’s pleasing to have done this because it shows we’re moving in the right direction and the things I’ve been needing to work on have been covered.

“Rio’s a very tricky venue so I think there’s still work to do. I just need to maintain the hard work and I think we should be in a good place.”

Thompson is next due in action at the Sailing World Cup at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy from June 6-12.

He was speaking to the Royal Yachting Association website.