POOLE'S Hannah Mills became the most decorated female Olympic sailor ever with gold in the women's 470 class at Tokyo 2020.

Mills retained her Olympic title, partnered by Eilidh McIntyre, adding to silver won at London 2012.

Mills and McIntyre's moment was slightly clouded by an on-the-water protest from France, which was thrown out within 20 minutes.

With the result standing, the duo took Team GB's third sailing gold medal of the Games.

A golden finale was a stunning climax to the Olympics for Mills, who was one of Team GB's flag bearers at the opening ceremony.

Going into the medal race, Mills and McIntyre enjoyed a 14-point lead over French pair Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz.

And the Brits claimed fifth place in the 11th and final race of the regatta - one place above the French pair - to seal gold.

With France in sixth, the door opened for Polish team Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Jolanta Ogar to finish fourth, gaining the necessary four points on France to pinch silver.

For McIntyre, gold saw her emulate father Mike, winner of the Star class at Seoul 1988.

Britain's Chris Grube and Luke Patience had earlier finished fifth overall in the men's 470.