Marit Bouwmeester wins gold in women’s dinghy, her 4th sailing medal in as many Games and 1st as mom
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands won the gold medal in the women’s dinghy at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, marking the fourth straight Games in which she has reached the podium.
Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom, a four-time Olympian who won gold in Tokyo three years ago, took the silver medal. Line Flem Hoest of Norway got bronze and pumped her first in the air as she crossed the finish line before jumping in the water to hug her friend Rindom.
The medal races for both women and men were postponed to Wednesday because of fickle and light winds, which together with the oppressive heat have tested the physical and mental endurance of the athletes.
The 36-year-old Bouwmeester won silver in this class of sailing in London in 2012, followed by gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo. This was her first Olympic medal as a mother — her 2-year-old daughter, Jessie Mae, has become a companion in training, the medalist said.
“I’m very, very, very grateful to be in the Olympics and also be a mom,” Bouwmeester said.
She didn’t rule out a fifth Olympics, but said her priority for now would be her daughter: “I just want to go home and be there for little Jessie Mae.”
Rindom said Wednesday’s racing felt “amazing” after “such a tricky week of sailing.”
Hoest secured her bronze with a “safe start” and then focused on speed, she said.
“From the first downwind, I knew, ‘keep breathing, keep sailing, this medal is yours,’” said the Norwegian, who trains by cross-country skiing.
Bouwmeester’s victory was the Netherlands’ second sailing gold in these Games, following Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz in the women’s skiffs. Dutch windsurfer Luuc van Opzeeland won a bronze, making the country the leader in sailing medals so far.
Rindom won bronze in 2016 before her Tokyo gold.
The men’s dinghy medal race had also been rescheduled for Wednesday. But a few minutes after it began, it was abandoned because the winds suddenly died down again and sailors were struggling along below 3 knots.
Australia’s Matt Wearn, the 28-year-old reigning Olympic champion, had entered the still competitive regatta in first position.
___
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games