BASINGSTOKE biathle stars enjoyed double delight at the European Championships in Setubal, Portugal.

Maddie Deadman won team gold and individual silver in the under-15 girls’ race, while Bradley Sutton enjoyed double success in the under-17 boys’ event as he won individual and team gold.

Biathle is a continuous run/swim/run format and Deadman, from Kempshott, was part of a field of 20 that included competitors from Italy, Russia and France.

The Aldworth School pupil led the race as the group entered the water and exited the swim neck and neck with GB teammate Eleanor Jones.

In a closely-fought final run lap, the Basingstoke Bluefins and Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete was just edged out by Jones, finishing second to complete a Great Britain one-two.

The third member of the team came fourth, securing the girls team gold.

In the under-17 boys’ race, Hatch Warren’s Sutton smashed his personal best by 17 seconds on his way to glory in the event.

Battling against athletes from Portugal, Russia and Switzerland, Sutton was third in the first 1,000metre run as they entered the water after transition.

It then became a race between two GB athletes, with Sutton in first place after the swim.

He dropped his swim goggles in the transition area and retrieving them saw him lose his lead, but he regained it at the 600 metre mark as he came home first.

The victory for the Brighton Hill Community School pupil helped Great Britain to the team title.