Olympics sailing descends into chaos as athletes ‘cross wrong finish line’ leaving fans stunned by result
BIZARRE scenes unfolded in an Olympics sailing race as the leaders crossed the wrong finish line but still won gold thanks to a little-known rule.
There was huge controversy and drama in yesterday’s women’s skiff medal race, which left BBC commentator Niall Myant in disbelief.
Holland duo Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz were cruising to victory ahead of the United States and Sweden as they were on the home straight.
But disaster struck for the Dutch as they got confused to where the finish line was.
Instead of continuing straight on, they drifted to the right and sailed beyond the wrong committee boat, seemingly unaware the end position had been changed.
Holland came to a stop before and a perplexed look could be seen on Van Aanholt and Duetz’s faces as they realised their error.
Team USA ended up following them to the wrong place – but Sweden knew where they were going and appeared to finish first.
They were followed home by France and then the lost Dutch.
An anxious wait followed as the officials worked out what had gone on.
Myant on commentary said: “Where are they going? The finish line is marked on the left-hand side.
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“I think they think they’ve finished and there is some confusion about the course.
“America also make the mistake and this is huge. What on Earth has happened here?
“I am stunned to what has happened on the water. Unbelievable scenes.”
Eventually, Holland were awarded the gold medal, with Sweden taking silver and France in bronze.
Despite making the same mistake as the Dutch, USA finished tenth.
Holland were awarded the gold due to their points total in the heats although they crossed the line in the final in third.
Fans were left baffled by the rules, with one saying: “Netherlands went the wrong way and crossed the finish line after Sweden but given the gold?”
Another added: “Lol Netherlands and America went the wrong way in the sailing.”
On the mix up, Van Aanholt said: “When we crossed the finish line we thought we won gold, but we didn’t hear the horn.”
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WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Max Whitlock goes for an unprecedented fourth consecutive medal on the pommel horse (4.10pm)
Our dressage team can claim another gold at the equestrian (9am) after gold, silver and bronze at the last three Games.
Team GB will want to retain the 4x100m mixed relax relay (8.33pm) in the pool and Jake Jarman goes in the men’s floor gymnastics final (2.30pm).
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Tom Pidcock gets back in the saddle after his epic mountain biking gold with the men’s road race (10am).
It is the last day of rowing with GB in with a chance of more medals – especially in the men’s and women’s eights (10.10am).
GB take on Argentina in their final women’s pool game in the hockey (9am).
And Tommy Fleetwood continues his charge towards golfing gold, co-leading at -11 after a seven-under yesterday (10.44am).
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US sprinter Sha-Carri Richardson and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson will battle it out for women’s 100m sprint gold – with Dina Asher-Smith hoping to keep pace (8.20pm).
We also get a first look in the heats at 100m men’s stars Americans Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman who will battle with Zharnel Hughes for glory (10.45am).
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Badminton often slips under the radar at the Olympics but is always incredible viewing with lightning-quick reactions.
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6 – As of Saturday morning, only six athletes have won the same individual event at the Olympics four times. Katie Ledecky could join that prestigious list – which features Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps – in the 800m freestyle (8.09pm). Vincent Hancock could also do it in the skeet shooting today (2.30pm).
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