GREAT weather resulted in the 2003 Poole Audi Hex-treme six-discipline event being hailed a roaring success.

Twice reigning men's champion Richard Vail had to settle for second place after he was beaten by Colin Dixon in the contest featuring six tough sporting events.

There was some consolation for the runner-up. Richard's sister Tisha won the women's section at her first attempt.

Husband and wife team from Ringwood, Giles and Lisa Durward, also helped to ensure the event had a distinctly family flavour.

In total 30 men and nine women took part in the Echo-backed event organised by Poole Tourism and held in and around Sandbanks and Poole Park yesterday.

The day started off with a 15km bike ride followed by a 500m swim. Next entrants had to sail off Shore Road beach where the millpond sea proved a problem but after the wind picked up the leading competitors were soon onto the next round.

They then had to complete a 1,000m kayak sprint, windsurf around a triangular course and finish with a five-kilometre run - just before the rain came.

Race spokesman Liz Lean said: "It's been a fantastic day - the wind picked up at the perfect time for the water events and the weather held although we heard rumbles of thunder in the distance.

"The atmosphere was brilliant with everyone wandering round and lots of music - a great day all round."

Results:

Men: first, Colin Dixon; second, Richard Vail; third, Dave Johnston

Women: first Tisha Vail; second Diane Dumashie; third Helen Baillie

See Tuesday's Daily Echo (Sept 9) for more pictures of the amazing event.