NERVES were shot by the end of the J Class Regatta in Falmouth as Lionheart secured the 2015 title in a tense series of races.

Proceedings had been nip and tuck during the week and created the situation on Saturday's final dart around Falmouth Bay which meant all three of the boats participating had the chance of winning the main prize.

Having scored three second places in the opening five rounds, 2012 champions Ranger pulled themselves into contention with a win in race six to set up a mouth-watering finale.

Velsheda entered race seven a point ahead of everyone and they jostled at the start with Ranger as both careered forwards, giving the umpires work to do.

This exciting beginning saw the latter penalised after having their spinnaker taken out by the rival boat.

Amongst the chaos, Lionheart had made a cautious start and this proved vital as they sailed to the first place finish they needed to bag the title.

Their tactician John Cutler, who was onboard Ranger in 2012, said the opening throws of the last race played right into his crew's hands.

Cutler said: "As a group we are really pleased to win.

"That was a tough race course and we had made it tough on ourselves after the third in the first race.

"The second race was quite exciting but we always knew we had to win that race to win the regatta.

"We were a little fortunate that Ranger and Velsheda tangled and gave us a small opening."

In the earlier races in the week, Lionheart begun the series with a win before Velsheda picked up three victories to take first place.

FINAL RESULT (individual race positions in brackets)

1st Lionheart - 10 points (1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 1)

2nd Velsheda - 11 (3, 1, 3, 1, 1, 2, 3)

3rd Ranger - 12 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 2)