Australia's Olympic champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen say they'll heed a lesson for the Rio Olympics after overcoming debilitating illness to snatch the silver medal at the 49er sailing world championships.
The pair went into the last of the six days of racing in murky waters off Buenos Aires in back in seventh place but posted a second, first and fourth to go into the top-10 medal race in third spot and a fifth placing was enough to secure the silver.
Their trans-Tasman rivals Pete Burling and Blair Tuke - the defending world champions and Olympic silver medallists - had already secured the gold on points going into the medal race.
Outteridge and Jensen were happy with the silver after Jensen had been among about a third of the fleet who battled a gastric illness for several days earlier in the regatta.
Jensen paid tribute to Outteridge for handling the extra workload while he was ill.
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"There was a stomach bug going around and the time I got it was unfortunate as it was after the first day of racing," Jensen said.
"I had a few days where I was crook and a bit feverish and really struggling to hold any food down, so I was a bit low on energy during racing.
"Nath did a great job, getting the boat ready each day and letting me rest for as much as I could so I wasn't too exhausted by the end of the day.
"But I've been a bit better over the last couple of days."
The less-than-clean water in the bay was widely blamed for the gastro outbreak and Jensen said it was a timely warning given the concerns about the water quality for the Olympic sailing off Rio next year.
"Stomach bugs have been an issue here and also can be in Rio and this shows it could be a showstopper for a team if they get a serious one before the Olympic Games," said Jensen.
"Everyone will have to be careful and follow the right precautions, that's for sure."
Outteridge and Jensen were the only Australian crew to qualify for a top-ten Medal race.
Will Phillips and brother Sam just missed out after finishing a strong final series in overall eleventh.
Australian Sailing Team's Joel Turner (QLD) and crew Lewis Brake (QLD) finished the regatta in 16th with David Gilmour (WA) and Rhys Mara (VIC) following in 24th.
Three final series races were also completed in the 49erFX on the final day with Tess Lloyd (VIC) and Caitlin Elks (WA) posting a 14th, 20th and seventh place, which were not enough to climb up the ladder and into the Medal race.
