Matt Wearn of Australia clinched the gold medal in the men’s dinghy division at the Paris 2024 sailing competition on Wednesday, adding to his impressive resume as the reigning Olympic champion.
Wearn, who had a commanding 14-point lead over his closest rival, Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus, maintained his position despite a strong challenge. The bronze medal was secured by Stefano Peschiera of Peru.
Ahead of the medal race, Wearn’s substantial lead meant he only needed to avoid finishing ninth or worse to secure gold. Employing aggressive match racing tactics, Wearn effectively prevented Kontides from gaining an advantage as the race began in light 7-knot winds. This strategy was closely monitored by the umpires.
The race was marred by several penalties, including a significant infraction by British sailor Michael Beckett, who was penalized for a start-line infringement. Norwegian sailor Hermann Tomasgaard also faced challenges but managed to pass Hungarian competitor Jonatan Vadnai. Peschiera, the 2018 College Sailor of the Year, fought hard but ultimately crossed the finish line 45 seconds behind the leading pair, securing his bronze medal after a tense wait.
Bouwmeester and Rindom Take Gold and Silver in Women’s Dinghy Medal Race
In the women’s dinghy division, Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands and Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark had already secured the gold and silver medals before the medal race. The real competition was for the bronze, which went to Norway’s Line Flem Host.
Unlike their male counterparts, Bouwmeester and Rindom focused solely on their own performance rather than engaging in pre-race tactics. The battle for third place was fierce between Maud Jayet of Switzerland and Host. Jayet’s slow start hindered her, while Host capitalized on the changing wind conditions, moving from fourth to third in a strong final performance.
The race, completed in 14 minutes and 14 seconds, highlighted the tactical finesse required in sailing, with Host’s victory being especially celebrated by Norwegian fans.
Postponed: Mixed Dinghy and Multihull Medal Races
Due to light wind conditions, the mixed dinghy and mixed multihull medal races were postponed until Thursday. The breeze is expected to improve, promising competitive racing. In the 470 class, Argentina, Great Britain, and New Zealand are in contention for the silver and bronze medals, with Italy holding a significant lead. Kiteboarding events for both men and women will also commence, with coverage available on Peacock.
