HIGH AS A KITE

Ellie strikes gold with moment of magic

- JEREMY CROSS

ELLIE ALDRIDGE took to the skies to celebrate after producing a moment of magic on the Mediterranean.

Off the glistening coast of Marseille in the South of France, no one was shining brighter than the Team GB sensation.

With the wind quite literally in her sails, Aldridge had just become the inaugural women's Olympic kitesurfing champion.

And in the process, had broken French hearts on her way to being crowned the queen of the waves.

Locals who had gathered on the beach were hoping to see homegrown hero Lauriane Nolot take the gold.

But she plunged into the water in a dramatic second race of the final, leaving her hopes sunk.

And with more chaos developing between other competitors further behind her, Aldridge was able to sail around Nolot and ride the breeze all the way to glory.

British fans waved Union Jacks along the coastline to celebrate Team GB's first gold in the Olympic sailing.