SAILING: Olympic sailing gold medallist Mathew Belcher and crewmate Will Ryan have clinched their first major title together and extended their unbeaten streak to eight regattas.

The duo have now won every event they've contested since teaming up in November last year and added the 470 European Championships to their growing trophy cabinet on Sunday morning, after a nail-biting final race off Formia, Italy.

French crew Sofian Bouvet and Jeremie Mion had challenged Belcher and Ryan all regatta and started the last race tied on points.

But the Australians read the 10 knot winds perfectly and won the race to snatch overall victory by 10 points.

Victory extended Belcher's personal winning streak to 16 regattas, including the London Olympic 470 gold medal and two world titles with former crewmate, Malcolm Page.

"It was a great week for us and an important step forward in our campaign, our first major title," Belcher said.

"We survived another event to keep the winning streak alive, I still can't believe it's now 16 events. Mal and I were amazed to have won eight."

Victory also marks the 10th time Belcher and Ryan's coach, Victor Kovalenko has led a crew to the 470 European title.

"Obviously it's a great feeling, not only for us to win as a team and for me to win my first European title," Ryan added.

AAP