WEST Mersea sailor Saskia Clark and partner Hannah Mills and lost their battle for gold in the women’s 470 class today as Great Britain were thwarted by Antipodean opposition for the second time this afternoon.

Having seen Australia deny Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell top spot in the men’s 470 class, the world champions suffered the same fate on the south coast.

Mills and Clark entered the medal race top of the standings alongside Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie, although it was the New Zealand pair that won the race and took the gold medal as Britain collected their fourth sailing silver of London 2012.