Australia have been denied a clean sweep of crowns in Paralympic sailing's final Games after Matt Bugg suffered a heart-breaking setback in the second-last race of the regatta.
The Tasmanian was in the gold medal position in the 2.4mR single-person keelboat for what would have be his maiden Games medal in Rio.
But a protest by a Spanish crew after race 10 left him disqualified, and despite dominating the medal race on Saturday (Sunday AEST) he was relegated to silver.
The final day of competition was little more than a victory lap for Australia's two other crews, which both posted unbeatable leads with a day to spare.
Bugg admitted he didn't get much sleep overnight as the emotional rollercoaster took its toll.
"I don't think anyone has done it tougher than me this week," the London 2012 Paralympian said.
"I think (my competitors) know I won the regatta on the water, but unfortunately sometimes it goes beyond that into the protest room and unfortunately that didn't go my way."
Veteran duo Liesl Tesch and Dan Fitzgibbon became the first sailors to win back-to-back gold medals in the SKUD18, sealing victory with a stunning eight wins from 11 races and three second placings.
"We may have snuck out and had a little wine to celebrate quietly last night," Tesch said.
Given sailing has been removed from the Paralympic program for Tokyo 2020, 40-year-old master yachtsman Fitzgibbon said he could now happily retire.
"That's a fairytale for us. I can just hang my boots up and be very proud," he said.
Tesch, who was mugged at gunpoint while in Rio three months ago, admitted she was initially apprehensive about returning but has been overwhelmed by her second experience.
"(It's) the joy that we feel in the city, and the joie de vivre of the people of Brazil," Tesch said with tears welling in her eyes.
"Being a Sydneysider you know the impact that having the Games makes for people with a disabilities across the country and across the world."
The 47-year-old said she was glad the robbery happened to her and not one of the younger Paralympians.
"It's just a reality of a city where there is poverty ... but there's much more positive things coming out of the Games than what we saw in the drama leading up to it," she said.
Sonar trio Russell Boaden, Jonathan Harris and Colin Harrison also secured their gold medals early on one of the most difficult sailing courses in the world.
"No one can take the title away now," Harrison said.
"Australia won the first one in Sydney (2000), we've won the last one here in Rio. First and last is a nice way to leave it."
Harris said the move to scrap Paralympic sailing was a disappointing blow for young aspiring sailors.
"There's a whole generation of disabled people that love being on the water because it gives them a freedom that you don't get on the land. On the water you're equal with other boats," he said.
"To take that away is a real travesty."
