A bitter sweet day for the Brits - Matthew Sheahan reports
RSX WOMEN
Bryony Shaw crossed the line in second place to take bronze medal in the RSX women’s medal race. China took gold and the Italian sailor Alessandra Sensini, who led throughout the race took silver.
RSX MEN
But for Nick Dempsey it was heartache. Finishing in 7th in a very short race with little opportunity to recover from a tricky start, Dempsey crashed out of the medal running to finish 4th overall, the position competitors fear most.
His consistent performance throughout the week had him well placed for a medal in many peoples minds but in the end the tight points gap at the top punished anything other than a perfect performance.
Kiwi Tom Ashley came third in the medal race and took gold, Frenchman Julien Bontemps took fourth to gain his silver, France’s first sailing medal of the Games while Israel’s Shahar Zubari finished second to take bronze.
STAR
Race 1
Ian Percy wins first race of the day in which three could be run. Gybe setting on the second run and heading back out to sea was the key to hauling himself up through the fleet. Overall fleet leader Freddie Loof finishes in second which means Percy only gains a point on the current favourite but is just two points astray of the lead with two more races planned. Current weather conditions suggest that this is likely.
TORNADO
Race 1
Howden and McMillan had a blistering race after a very difficult start which saw them round the first mark in 10th. By the end of the race they had recovered to finish 2nd. The misery continues for the American team with its code zero finishing last in the first race of the day.
RACING SCHEDULE – Wednesday 20 August (times are local)
Course A – 1300 hrs RS:X Men medal race
Course A – 1300 hrs RS:X Women medal race
Course D – 1100hrs Star (3 races)
Course E – 1100hrs Tornado (3 races)
PODCASTS
UK board sailor Bryony Shaw looks forward to the medal race – Can she do it?
Ben Ainslie describes how he feels after winning his third gold medal
Light and…..brilliant. Nick Rogers tells Matthew Sheahan about his tricky day in the 470 class
UK Laser sailor Paul Goodison talks to Matthew Sheahan after his opening day at the 2008 Olympics
British 470 sailors Nic Rogers and Joe Glanfield describe their first day on the race track 11-8-08
Ben Ainslie after the second day of racing plus comments on penalties – 10 Aug
** USEFUL LINKS **
Official Olympic Sailing Schedule plus mark roundings