PORTLAND-BASED Hannah Mills and Weymouth-based Saskia Clark admitted their relief after finally sealing their 470 Women’s gold in Rio yesterday.

An eighth in today’s double points medal race confirmed what had been delayed for 24 hours after yesterday’s postponement for lack of breeze – that the British 470 pair had upgraded their London 2012 silver to Rio 2016 gold.

Knowing they had to avoid disqualification or race retirement to win gold, Mills and Clark sailed a safety first race, not getting involved in any start line positional jostling and sailing behind the fleet to move clear away from the line.

"Staying out of the pack was a tactic they continued employing for the whole race, and as they crossed the line and came ashore without incident the emotions started to pour.

Mills said: “We ran down the beach. I just wanted to see my mum, she’s been here the whole time supporting me, along with my family back at home.

"It is just such an amazing moment to be able to share with everyone.”

Clark added: “I can’t stop smiling.

"It’s been amazing winning a medal with one of my best mates and Joe (Glanfield), our coach is an absolute legend.

“We had to finish the medal race, but at the same time there was a massive battle behind us for silver and bronze and we didn’t want to be the boat that tacked on someone, causing them to lose a medal. We honestly just tried to stay out of it, it was the right thing to do.”

The race was won by Tina Mrak and Veronik Macarol (SLO).

But all of this was of little consequence to Mills and Clark, whose unerring consistency throughout the opening series saw them end the event with a 10-point victory margin.