Dempsey (pictured above) said he was "massively relieved" to earn a medal on home waters, four years after his bitter disappointment at the Beijing Games, where he went into the medal race in silver position but finished up one place off the podium.

Germany's Toni Wilhelm suffered a similar experience this time around as, after starting in bronze medal position, he was replaced by Poland's Przemysław Miarczyński.

Dempsey is married to Sarah Ayton, a double Olympic gold medallist in the Yngling class which was dropped from the Games for London 2012.

"It's been a difficult four years but I always believed I could come here and do well," said the 31-year-old.

"I'm massively relieved more than anything.

Gold medallist Dorian Van Rijsselberge  (centre) celebrates with silver medallist Nick Dempsey (left) and bronze medallist Przemysław Miarczyński (R) following the men's RS:X sailing

"The Dutch guy had such a good start so it was tough coming to terms with the fact I was racing for second.

"But I was desperate to finish second and I'd already said third was going to be a disaster.

"And I don't know what I would have done if I'd finished fourth.

"To do it in front of your home crowd – it doesn't get any better.

"It's going to take a while to sink in."

Despite the move to drop windsurfing, Dempsey hinted his Olympic career was not over.

"I think it's a moment for reflection but I'm pretty sure it's not the end of the road," he said.

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