Brett Wright missed out on a podium finish by just four points at the recent Audi Laser Masters’ World Championship in Hyeres, France.

Wright placed fifth out of 70 competitors in the Laser Radial Great Grand Master division.

He was on course to finish in the top three but his hopes were dashed after he posted his worst score of 25th in the tenth and final race.

“On the last day I needed to beat my two closest competitors to finish third,” Wright said.

“That did not happen but I could not be happier as it took a lot of physical and mental effort to be there.”

The experienced sailor posted seven top-five finishes, with a best finish of second in the sixth race, to stay in the hunt before he faltered. Wright also managed four top-three finishes.

“The regatta started off with light winds and I opted for conservative starts, which worked out well,” Wright said.

Michael Keeton, of New Zealand, won the regatta by a two-point margin over Australia’s Jeff Loosemore with Terry Scutcher, from the United Kingdom, third.

The Championship was held on the South Coast of France and featured 515 sailors from 36 countries, making it the largest Laser world championship in history.