His childhood was spent in the British city of Leeds, far from the sea, and he didn't come close enough to the ocean to set sail until moving to Edinburgh in his 30s.

"I started a bit late, so I'm making up for lost time," said the yachtsman.

The 79-year-old, who now lives in Black Rock, was the oldest competitor at the Sailing World Cup's last round for the year in Port Phillip Bay at the weekend.

He placed 13th in the all-age Sabre event of 29 competitors, and was pleased with that.

"It's all for fun," he said. "There's no way I can complete with the 20-year-olds, even the 40-year-olds. I don't expect to win."

Mr Medd said the sport had kept him youthful and fit.

"It's recognised as a sport that prolongs your age, and I'm proof of that," he said. "And it's just so absorbing; it's very technical and it's very physical."

Every Thursday he and a group of mates from the Black Rock Sailing Club take to the water, and they race competitively most weekends.

Mr Medd cycles and also manages to find time to work as an industrial designer.

His wife, Janet, said the couple bought their first boat when their three sons were little boys.

"He's always just done it for enjoyment," she said. "It's a form of relaxation for him."