The event in the Bahamas was won by the Spanish pair of Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez ahead of Australia's defending champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen and Italy's Pietro Sibello and Gianfranco Sibello.

The top British pair were Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign, a member of the development squad, who made considerable strides as they improved from 13th in last year's Championships to fifth this time.

Chris Draper and Peter Greenhalgh finished sixth, Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes seventh, John Pink and Rick Peacock eighth and Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith tenth.

Britain’s 49er sailing coach Harvey Hillary claimed he was encouraged by the results despite the lack of medals.
 
He said: “It’s disappointing for us that we didn’t come away with a medal, but we certainly did a lot of things right this week,.

"Dylan and Alain were the stand-out team of this regatta for me.
 
“Everyone thought their 13th last year was a good result, but they’ve surpassed that and have really been superb this week. 

"The first two days of the finals series in particular threw up some really difficult conditions but they proved the best performers on those two days, and have posted a great set of results..
 
“We’ve had an intense year with two World Championships in six months and changes to our equipment, so to have five boats which are very quick around the racecourse and which are in a position to be medalling is a great position to be in, and something which no other nation has."


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