Double Olympic champion Sarah Webb insists Bristol University student Hannah Mills is perfectly poised to inherit the mantle from British sailing's golden generation.

Webb was sharing the waves alongside fellow Beijing medallists Ben Ainslie and Nick Rogers for the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race last weekend.

Mills, 20, was in Qingdao last summer to witness Webb's heroics first hand and the 32-year-old insists it will not be long before she and partner Katrina Hughes are following in her footsteps.

She said: "Hannah Mills and Katrina Hughes are really impressive in the 470 class. They came out to Beijing and as long as they continue on the same route they are on now, then they will be a force to be reckoned with.

"Their sailing ability is not in question – they have proved that winning the youth championships and they have been given a taste of the big time when they came out to Beijing.

"I have definitely seen their attitude change over the last six months. They are now really focused and going about things with a sense of real energy. They really look like they have got it together."

Webb was unable to add to her medal collection on the Isle of Wight as Oman Sail Masirah took the line honours from 1,779 boats – the fourth largest entry in the competition's history. And while Mills and Hughes finished as the top British crew with a 12th-placed finish in the open 470 class in this month's European Championships, Webb still believes the duo could use a guiding hand of experience.

She added: "They are doing all the right things and going about that in the right way. But I think they would really benefit from having a mentor to guide them through – someone who has been there and done it.

"I had the benefit of sailing alongside Shirley Robertson, who was a massive influence through what she achieved.

"I would love to pass on all my experience one day but I am not sure about doing it right now.

"Britain has continued to reap the benefits of setting up the RYA youth programme in 1979. You just have to look at the Olympic results for proof of its success and Hannah and Katrina have shown there is more talent bubbling under the surface."