Two students and a recent graduate from the University of Southampton scooped gold at the FISU World University Match Racing Championships 2014 in Italy.

Ship Science students Annabel Vose and Emily Nagel, along with Southampton graduate Amy Prime, were the first women to represent Great Britain in the international competition, where they saw off competition from seven other teams to finish first.

Hannah Peters, of Royal Holloway University, was the fourth member of the team.

“The event was a fantastic experience and I couldn't be happier with the result,” said Nagel, 19, who grew up in Bermuda where she first learnt to sail.

“We really did not expect to win and to be undefeated up until the final was incredible. The semi-finals and finals against Brazil and France were challenging and did test us as a team, but we pulled through.”

Vose, also 19, led the team at Lake Ledro, Italy, and has been sailing since the age of seven. She has represented her country before, winning gold in the 420 World Championships in 2011.

The team already have a number of events planned, including the second stage of the Womens Match Race Series, as well as the Etchells Invitational.

“We hope to continue racing as a team and Annabel and I hope to defend our title in Perth in 2016,” said Nagel.