Idowu missed the indoor season because of a knee injury

Olympic triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu opened his season with victory at the Venizelia international meeting in Chania, Crete.

The 30-year-old, who had not competed for nine months because of a knee injury, produced a huge winning leap of 17.60m in the fourth round.

Greek champion Dimitris Tsiamis was second with 16.66 while Briton Larry Achike was third with 16.44.

"It's a great start to the year," said 30-year-old Idowu.

"I've been here three times and won here three times. I like the place and I'll be back next year."

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Idowu, sporting a short red haircut, relished the fast runway and 31C heat, however, he slipped at the beginning of the runway on his first jump, although he still cleared 16.87m.

The Londoner eventually recorded a legal best of 17.35m as his huge winning fourth-round effort was marginally over the permitted wind limit.

Idowu, who has his sights set on glory in August's World Championships in Berlin, lost out on Olympic gold by only 5cm to Portugal's Evora in Beijing last summer.

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