SHE'S our golden girl - twice over.

Isle of Wight sailor Shirley Robertson has struck Britain's first gold of the Athens Olympics.

The Cowes based yachtswoman, 36, claimed the top medal in the Yngling class with a race to spare alongside fellow crew members Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton.

It is Robertson's second gold after becoming Olympic champion in Sydney four years ago.

She is now Britain's most successful female sailor and the first woman to win golds at successive Games.

Robertson said: "I'm overwhelmed that we've put it all together and made it happen. We are just so overjoyed."

Robertson, who won her Sydney gold as a solo sailor, added that winning as part of a team was all the sweeter.

Robertson was awarded honorary membership of the Island sailing Club in Cowes after her first Olympic triumph. Club sailing secretary Tony Chilvers said: "Funnily enough, her membership is just coming up for renewal and we would be highly inclined to offer her a continued membership."

The medal ceremony is due to be held tomorrow.

There will be further medal joy for Lymington sailors Ben Ainslie and Nick Rogers, who are each guaranteed a silver medal at least in their sailing classes.