The 20-year-old former Dungog High School student joined 7000 athletes representing 177 countries at the event held from July 25 to August 2.

Nelson took up the sport in 2007 when she started in year 7 and she enjoyed it so much she continued even after leaving school.

She qualified for the sailing event from the Special Olympics National Games held in Melbourne last year when she partnered with Sydney’s Alyse Saxby.

She teamed up with Saxby, who also has an intellectual disability, for Japan in September last year and they have been inseparable on the water ever since.

The duo sailed a 20 foot yacht called Cal 20 in level 3.

Five teams competed in this level – Australia, America and three teams from Greece.

Nelson’s mother Annette, who also attended the competition with husband Gary, said there was one day of divisioning and four days of racing.

“Three races were held back-to-back in open water each day with each one taking a couple of hours,” Mrs Neilson said.

“The girls did extremely well in the competition and were thrilled to bring home gold.”

Australia sent over six sailors with all receiving either gold or silver.

Both Nelson and Saxby have been nominated for and are finalists in Yachting Australia Disabled Sailor of the Year Awards.

The awards are to be held this weekend at Darling Harbour in Sydney.