Paris 2024 Day 10: Five Things We Learned

Marit Bouwmeester is the GOAT

Marit Bouwmeester (NED) has all but won gold with the Medal Race to spare, making her a four-time Olympic medallist. She took silver at London 2012, gold at Rio 2016, bronze at Tokyo 2020 and now gold at Paris 2024. She surpasses Hannah Mills (GBR) whose two gold and one silver in the women’s 470 made her the most successful female Olympic sailor after her victory in Tokyo. Bouwmeester also matches the four-medal tally of Alessandra Sensini, the Italian windsurfer who won one gold, one silver and two bronze.

Anne-Marie Rindom secures silver

Although Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom will be disappointed to have ceded her Olympic title to long-time rival Bouwmeester, she can at least be certain of having secured the silver medal in Marseille. When she is awarded the silver, it will complete the set to go with bronze from Rio and gold from Tokyo. Norway’s Line Flem Hoest holds third place going into Tuesday’s Medal Race, although the points behind are close in the battle for bronze.

“Our towel’s not big enough”

Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti (ITA) have done a great job of upping their game in the light winds. A year ago they might have struggled in low-riding conditions but the Italians are looking as fast as anyone now, possibly faster. “For sure we did a great job improving our performance in the light stuff, said helmsman Tita, “but we lost a little bit in the range.” In other words, if you’re going to make a gain in one area you inevitably have to give up something in another area. No such thing as a free lunch. Or as Tita described it: “We have a short cover [towel]. You have to decide if you want to cover your neck or your feet, but not both.” Banti, however disagreed. “We are ready in every condition to play and we are ready in every condition. We work harder.” End of interview.

Poker Face

With all the light winds and waiting around, what to do with your spare time? Six-time World Champion Daniela Moroz (USA) gave her insight from the kite beach. “Earlier today I was playing cards with Lauriane [Nolot, FRA] and Ellie [Aldridge, GBR], and we’re hanging out in the shade together so it’s pretty relaxed at that point. We’re all friends on land but once you get on the water, it’s not like everyone wants to kill each other, but you’re there to do business.”

Pavlos in silver handcuffs

Matt Wearn looks set to follow up his Olympic title from Tokyo in the Men’s Dinghy. If so, the Australian would become the first ever to win back-to-back golds in this toughest of fleets, the ILCA 7. Wearn will want to leave nothing to chance, a fact not lost on Pavlos Kontides from Cyprus. Here’s why…

written by Andy Rice