BEIJING medal hope Alan Campbell is on top of the world after beating Olympic champion Olaf Tufte to win the first major regatta of the season in Munich on Sunday.

The Coleraine sculler stormed to victory to grab a full eight points in the opening World Cup event by leading from start to finish.

And the delighted 25 year-old, whose birthday was on Friday, said: "I'm really pleased with that, a great way to start the season.

"Once I got out in front, I felt in control. I was trying to save a little for the run-in to the line, so there was always a bit to come if I neede to keep them away.

"My best win was beating world champion Mahe Drysdale in the final at Henley last year, but that ranks pretty high."

Campbell, punching the air with joy, beat the Czech Republic's 2007 world silver medallist Ondrej Synek by a length, with Norway's Athens 2004 champion Tufte another quarter of a length back in third.

Full story and pictures in Tuesday's Coleraine Times.