TOM Squires finished 39th as he got to grips with new equipment at the iQFOiL European Championships in Marseille.

The windsurfer, from Kingston Bagpuize, needed to finish in the top eight to qualify for the medal race, but fell short.

Squires is still mastering the iQFOiL class, which will replace RS:X for the 2024 Olympics in France.

This summer’s Games in Japan was the final event to use the old equipment, having been postponed by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Squires finished seventh at his debut Olympics and was battling for a medal until the final day.

The 28-year-old learned his craft at Oxford Sailing Club, based at Farmoor Reservoir.