Patience and Willis, who only teamed up five months ago after Patience’s previous partner Joe Glanfield retired from the sport, battled through the field to take the crown from last year’s winners, the French pairing of Sofian Bouvet and Jeremie Mion.

This year’s performance goes one better than last year for Patience, who had to settle for the silver medal at last year’s event when still paired with Glanfield.

However, the new pair produced an excellent performance in the Greek waters to amass an unassailable lead over their nearest rivals as they gear up for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Since becoming partners in February Patience and Willis have produced fine performances on a consistent basis but the European victory is their first gold medal — and they will hope it can provide them with the momentum going into a crunch time in their ever continuing preparations.

Next month will see them travel to Brazil as part of the Olympic test event before they set sail for the World Championships at Santander, Spain in September.

Success wasn’t only confined to the Patience/Willis camp — with the British Sailing Team also guaranteed further silverware in the woman’s event.

Olympic silver medalists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark showcased their talent to the crowds and wrapped up a further silver medal to add to the British haul in Athens having been assured of the European silver medal and a place on the overall event podium.

Elsewhere, the other British partnership of Eilidh McIntyre and Sophie Weguelin watched on as their dreams of a podium position were dashed following a false start penalty on Monday’s course.

The penalisation dropped them to fourth European crew — leaving them seventh overall on the board and no chance of a medal finish.