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Hannah Mills becomes Britain's most decorated female Olympic sailor with gold alongside Eilidh McIntyre

The win makes Hannah Mills the most decorated female Olympic sailor of all time. Clive Mason/Getty Images

Team GB's Hannah Mills has become the most decorated female sailor in Olympic history after she won gold in the women's 470 class alongside Eilidh McIntyre on Wednesday.

Poland came second, claiming the silver medal, while France took home bronze. The official result was pending after the race following a protest France's protest against the British pair, although the appeal was dismissed shortly after.

Mills, who was one of two Team GB flagbearers at the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony, finished fifth alongside McIntyre in the medal race, but superb performances in the previous 10 races secured the pair the gold medal.

The British pair stayed in control throughout the 12-day sailing event at Enoshima Yacht Harbour, winning the opening two races and claiming a further six top four finishes.

"It's been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I'm sure for Eilidh as well, just every day, not being able to eat, just nerves building up, the emotion of just we've done it.

"It's over. We've done what we came here to do and it's amazing."

Mills has now won three Olympic medals, building upon the gold and silver medals she won in the women's 470-class at Rio 2016, while McIntrye followed in the footsteps of her father, Mike, who won sailing gold at the Seoul Games in 1988.

"To my dad, thank you for everything," McIntrye said. "Thank you for being my inspiration, for being at the end of the phone whenever I wanted to talk.

"I want to thank my whole family and my poor mum... she's had to live through the stress of this twice!"

Team GB has now won three gold medals in sailing at Tokyo 2020, winning five medal in total.