OLYMPIC gold medalist Saskia Clark has confirmed she is to retire from sailing.

The 37-year-old former Dabchicks sailor and West Mersea Yacht Club member joined sailing partner Hannah Mills in picking up the gold in Rio after the pair came out on top in the women's 470 class.

But yesterday morning, she publicly confirmed she has decided to retire.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine show, she said: "I really am retiring. It's time.

"This [gold medal] is what I have dreamed of forever and I got it.

"We have had such a ride and it has been amazing.

"Stopping on this high is the best and only way to do it."

The helm joked she had already "retired" once before, in 2011, after her former sailing partner, double Olympic champion Sarah Ayton, left the sport to start a family.

But during that celebration, she met Hannah Mills and the pair concocted a plan to qualify for the 2012 London Games.

The former Colchester County High School for Girls pupil added: "It was three months until the trials for London.

"We discussed some potential for London and it sort of went from there.

"In that time we got everything together and got selected."

The pair went on to take home the silver medal in 2012.

Saskia's dad, Charles, added: "It’s been a fantastic train ride for 25 years.

"We’ve had our ups and downs, hit the bumps and come down quite heavily on occasions but it’s been absolutely fantastic.

"She’s pretty shell shocked.

"You reach your high on any event and then come out at the end of it quite tired.

"She was in reasonable form when we saw her, she rises to the occasion but she’s tired."

A 'spectacular' party is set to officially welcome Saskia back to Mersea Island on Sunday.

The event, which begins at 7pm, will be held at Phil’s Anchorage Beach Club, in West Mersea, and tickets cost £40.