It was the first world title for the Australian pair, who defeated 13 other teams on the way to gold at the International Association for Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships, which closed in Halifax, Canada, today.

They finished in an uncharacteristic 13th place in the last race, but still managed to claim the gold medal thanks to four wins in the 11 rounds of racing.

"It's the first time we have ever won a World Champs," Tesch said.

"It's absolutely 'fantabulous' to be racing with Fitzy again - he's a legend.

"We had a great week but as our last race showed, we still have a lot of work to do on the water before Rio [2016] so it's more a learning experience than a joyful victory.

"It was great to have two other Aussie teams out there in the SKUD fleet - it's tougher than London and tougher every time we race."

Great Britain's Niki Birrell and Alexandra Rickham, who were aiming for their sixth consecutive world title, had to settle for silver, while Italy's Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti took the bronze.

Heiko Kröger was crowned 2.4mR class ahead of Helena Lucas and Damien Seguin ©ISAF/Facebook


Gold in the 2.4mR class went to Germany's Heiko Kröger, who won two rounds and never finished lower than eight out of the 49-strong field.

He avenged his London 2012 defeat to Britain's Helena Lucas, who took silver in Canada, while bronze went to Athens 2004 champion Damien Seguin of France.

Seguin's compatriots Bruno Jourdren, Nicolas Vimont-Vicary and Eric Flageul went two better in the Sonar class to claim the world title.

The trio pulled it back from an almost disastrous first round to regularly post top-six finishes for the rest of the competition for the gold.

The silver medal went to Canada's Paul Tingley, Scott Lutes and Logan Campbell, and Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden took the bronze.

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