Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 SW - LEADERBOARD

Great Britain wins gold in 49er Men at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competition

by Andy Rice, World Sailing 3 Aug 2021 05:07 UTC 25 July - 4 August 2021

Dylan Fletcher and Stu Bithell (GBR) have won gold in the 49er Men with Pete Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) taking silver and Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) bronze.

New Zealand wanted the right-hand side of the course and started on port tack off the committee boat end, closely followed by the Spanish. Great Britain started off the left-hand of the line going left with the rest of the fleet, although the Netherlands and Croatia had to return to restart after crossing too soon.

Near the top of the first leg, a close cross between Dylan Fletcher and Stu Bithell (GBR) versus Pete Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL), and it was advantage Great Britain.

The British rounded mark one in the lead, ahead of Germany and then New Zealand. Now the points were even between GBR and NZL. At the bottom mark Germany went around the right hand mark, GBR around the left, closely followed by NZL.

Up the next windward leg, GBR and NZL locked horns again, Fletcher tacking on top of Burling and forcing the Kiwis away to the right again. Meanwhile Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) had got into the lead, getting close to the podium depending on how Diego Botin and Iago Marra (ESP) were doing further back in the pack.

Around the final windward mark, Germany rounded narrowly ahead of Great Britain, New Zealand in third. As things stood, NZL would win by 2 points. Germany gybed away halfway down the course, Great Britain continued, holding out for better breeze on their side of the course.

In a photo finish Great Britain crossed the finish in first place, centimetres ahead of the fast-closing Germans. New Zealand crossed the line third. Gold medal to Dylan Fletcher and Stu Bithell (GBR).

Burling and Tuke become the first sailors ever to have won Olympic medals and the America's Cup in the same year.

Related Articles

Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control. Posted on 11 Jul
His Majesty The King visits the RNLI
Volunteers proudly welcomed King Charles III to Walmer RNLI Lifeboat Station Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers proudly welcomed King Charles III to Walmer RNLI Lifeboat Station on Thursday, marking His Majesty's first official engagement since becoming Patron of the lifesaving charity last year. Posted on 11 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects! Posted on 10 Jul
Henri-Lloyd's Sailing Essentials for Women
Highly-technical sailing apparel, which is also well-fitting, stylish and comfortable Finding highly-technical sailing apparel for women, which is also well-fitting, stylish and comfortable is now even easier, thanks to the expanded women's sailing range available from Henri-Lloyd. Posted on 10 Jul
Understanding sMRT Alert with Jack Sharland
Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years with more features packed into smaller devices, but with all these features it can sometimes be difficult to understand what they all do. Posted on 9 Jul
The first images of Fountaine Pajot's new FP41
Combining comfort and conviviality, it's all about connection with the outdoors On board the New FP41, every space has been designed to combine comfort and conviviality: generous volumes, smooth circulation, full-beam cockpit, and an open galley connected to the outdoors. Posted on 7 Jul
£6500 raised for Morvargh Sailing Project
Local fundraising dinner at Langston House in Devon Langston House, a beautifully restored Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse, opened its gates for the first time on 18th June to host a magical midsummer fundraising evening. The event brought together the local community. Posted on 6 Jul
Simena is born
Ares Yachts launches its first superyacht ARES Yachts has reached a major milestone. The Antalya-based shipyard has made a bold entry into the world of superyachts with the launch of SIMENA, its first vessel in the 60+ metre range Posted on 5 Jul
The value of insurance.
Fire and boats are never a good mix. It used to blamed on gas, now it is electricity... Fire and boats are never a good mix. In the old days much of it ended up being blamed on gas, whereas today, electricity is often the route cause. Posted on 3 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike. Posted on 2 Jul
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSunstorm Marine - Halyard Bags