Kiwi Laser class sailor Sam Meech has held off the world and Olympic champions to clinch his first World Cup win in Japan.

Holding a fragile three-point lead over Cypriot Pavlos Kontidies heading into the medal race in Gamagori, Meech secured gold by finishing fourth among the 10 boats.

Meech spent much of the double-point race keeping an eye on Kontides, who claimed the world title last month in Croatia but could only manage seventh on Monday (NZT).

Rio Olympic bronze medallist Meech was delighted the tactics paid off as Australian Olympic champion Tom Burton sailed to the race win to seal bronze.

Meech took control of the regatta through the middle stages, notching three wins out of nine races.

"I want to be in this position going into the medal race where I'm always competing for the medal," the 26-year-old said.

"Guys like Tom Burton and (fifth-placed two-time world champion) Nick Thompson are always there fighting for the medal on the last day. I've felt that, up until now, I'm just off the back of that."

Fellow-Kiwis Tom Saunders and Andrew McKenzie also reached the medal race and finished eighth and ninth respectivley overall.

Elsewhere, Isaac McHardie and William McKenize; Josh Porebski and Trent Rippey; and Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn ranked fifth to seventh in the 49er class.

Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox were fifth in the men's 470. An approaching typhoon meant racing was cancelled on the final day for Olympians Snow-Hansen and Willcox, leaving them one point outside a bronze medal.