Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark disappoint in world title defence

Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark failed to make the final of the 470 World Championships in La Rochelle.

The pair, who won the world title in Barcelona in May 2012 and then claimed silver medals at the London Olympics, finished 12th in qualifying in France.

Olympic champions Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie of New Zealand won the event.

"The hardest part of this sport is dealing with the harder weeks. Bouncing back is what makes an athlete a great athlete," said Mills.

She added: "Every time we've had a tough week we've managed to do that and this will be no exception."

Cardiff-born Mills and her English crewmate Clark only returned to sailing a month before the World Championships after taking time out after the Olympics.

The pair are planning to compete for GB in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The Royal Lymington Yacht Club pairing of Eilidh McIntyre and Sophie Weguelin were the best British crew, taking fifth place.