The pair had come into the last races virtually assured of topping the podium as they had an eight-point advantage over the rest of the field and they were able to cling on to secure the crown.

Second place went to Orion Gilles Martin and Nadine Wieland of France, while Fletcher and Georgia Warren-Myers of Australia sealed third.

Difficult conditions in Dapeng Bay greeted the start of the day, forcing organisers to delay the start of the opening race due to light winds.

When action eventually got underway, Mick and Bonnie Butler of Australia were the only crew with even the faintest chance of overhauling the Danes at the top of the leaderboard and once they fell out of contention, the destination of the world title was confirmed.

The Australians could only manage 11th, with the Danish pair finishing four places in front in a race won by Martin and Wieland.

That left only the rest of the podium places to be decided in the ninth and final race, which began with Martin surging out in front amid wind conditions of around 12 knots.

Warren-Myers was also sailing confidently in a competitive position, while their Australian counterparts were struggling.

Martin, along with Wieland, simply proved too strong as they rounded every mark on the course with a comfortable lead on their way to clinching second overall.

They ended on a total of 37 points, nine behind the eventual victors, with the husband and wife team of Fletcher and Georgia Warren-Myers six points further back in third place.