PC Paul Pilsworth was part of the Nottinghamshire Police team that captured the Police Offshore Sailing Championship in the waters of The Solent.

The Harworth-based officer has been offshore sailing for the police for around 20 years, and accredited the team's sixth successive national title to good leadership.

"We've got a great skipper," he told the Guardian.

"I have to give Pete Walters a lot of the credit, he knows his stuff and he can see the wind shifts coming."

The Notts team contained two complete offshore novices, but still won five of their nine races and came runners-up or third in the others to take the title.

Although they had clinched the championship by the end of the eighth race, Notts could not resist the challenge of another and celebrated their retained title in style, finishing three minutes ahead of their rivals in race nine.

PC Pilsworth explained the team's philosophy when it comes to filling positions in the boat.

He said: "We try and have a core crew who sail with Pete, but we also bring someone new in every year for some new blood, and to introduce people to the sport, because we'll not be there forever."

The sport has grown so much in Notts Police that they were able to field two teams this year.

The officers involved have to make sacrifices to be able to compete, but their dedication is clearly paying off.

"We have to take our own time to do this, and we pay our own money to do it," he said.

"Because we won this event, we get funding that allows us to enter another national event."

"We've entered Cowes Week and an event in Cork, Ireland before to represent the Great Britain Police Service and four years ago we won our class in Cork."

For the 29-year policing veteran, sailing has been a passion since he was a teenager.

"I started when I was 15 when I went dingy sailing with an uncle of mine," he said.

"When I started in the police in 1980 I began to represent them in various events."

"I enjoy it because you get boats that weigh several tonnes vying for position at the start line within inches of each other, it's very tense and very exciting."

"We sail in all sorts of wind conditions, there'll be times when you're freezing cold and wet through and suddenly you have to throw yourself into frantic activity, dive to the other side of the boat and tack."

"It's a brilliant sport," he added.

PC Pilsworth is currently working towards his Yachtmaster qualification, something that will help him understand the sport even more.

He said: "It deals with the theory side of things, and helps you understand strategies and tactics for yacht racing."