Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

Tokyo 2020: Great Britain and Italy take home gold

by 49er & Nacra 17 Sailing 3 Aug 2021 11:37 UTC 28 July - 4 August 2021
Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell (GBR) take gold in 49er © Sailing Energy / World Sailing

Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell become the first British team to win 49er gold, and in the process knock Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) from their perch atop the sailing world.

The medal race was a tense and intense race from start to finish, with all of the protagonist teams sailing well and going head to head for the medals. As the race progressed the Kiwi leaders heading into the race were no longer in control of their fate. They watched from third place as it came down to whether the British pair could overtake Eric Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) to put a boat between themselves and the New Zealanders.

Read on here...

Grael and Kunze (BRA) repeat gold with courage and smarts

The Brazilian 49erFX Champions repeated their Rio performance after beating their challengers in another incredibly tight medal race. Sailing as always with courage, guts, and smarts, Grael and Kunze (BRA) worked hard to win the boat end of the start line, got the first shift, consolidated over the top of their challengers, and then extended forward cleanly with win comfortably in the end.

The Brazilians were tied on points heading into the final race with Annemiek Bekkering with Annette Duetz (NED) who continued to sail to their strengths by winning the pin end. Unfortunately for the Dutch, they didn't have as clean a start as they would have liked and were blocked from a perfect lane by Norway and Argentina who went on to win and place second in the race.

Read on here...

Tita and Banti (ITA) pure class to victory in Nacra 17

Ruggero Tita with Caterina Banti (ITA) completed their win in the Nacra 17 in a no-nonsense and straightforward fashion to claim a clear victory in Tokyo 2020. They went into the medal race 12 points ahead of John Gimson with Anna Burnett (GBR) and then stayed very close to the British the whole way around the medal race to ensure they could not be passed overall.

With every tool in their arsenal, from starting to boat speed to boat handling, they took a safe start and a safe approach to win their first Olympic medals convincingly. Tita is a converted 49er sailor and Banti is a converted Radial sailor. Together they were strong from the start of the quadrennial, winning the first major foiling regatta, the 2017 European Championship, and now have won the last regatta of the 2020 Quadrennial as well.

Read on here...

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
Stoneways Marine 2021 - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTERCure Marine - Cure 55 - Footer