Gold rush: record-breaking Olympic medal for Hannah Mills

Hannah Mills has become the most successful female sailor in Olympic history as she and Eilidh McIntyre won gold for Great Britain in the women’s 470-class sailing event at Tokyo 2020 today.

In a feat of British sailing excellence, Eilidh McIntyre secured her Olympic gold medal 33 years after her father did the same at Seoul in 1988.

Mills and McIntyre had dominated the regatta at Enoshima Harbour, winning two races and only twice finishing outside the top four. Heading into the medal race with a 14-point lead, the Team GB duo required a top-seven finish to secure Olympic gold.

Mills and McIntyre finished fifth in the medal race, with Poland clinching silver and France in bronze.

Yesterday, in one of the most dramatic days of sailing in Olympic history, Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell won gold after a photo finish in the men’s skiff 49er, while Giles Scott successfully defended his Olympic title.

This is Mills’ consecutive Olympic title following her gold in the 470-class at the Rio 2016 Games. Great Britain are now top in the sailing medal standings at Tokyo 2020 with three golds, one silver and one bronze.

Images courtesy of Team GB/Twitter.