Ainslie sails to third Olympic gold
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Article Date: 2008-08-18
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The five-time Finn World Champion successfully defended the Finn title he won at Athens 2004 to surpass Rodney Pattison’s record of two golds and one silver, a feat Ainslie had previously matched thanks to his Laser silver (Atlanta 1996), Laser gold (Sydney 2000) and Finn gold (Athens 2004).
Ainslie went in to today’s medal race already guaranteed a silver medal and knowing that he had to finish no more than five boats behind nearest rival Zach Railey (USA) to seal his historic third gold.
And the 31-year-old from Lymington, Hampshire made no mistake as he claimed a sensational race victory with Railey finishing the race in sixth to claim the biggest prize of them all by 22 points overall from the American.
Victory in Qingdao has seen Ainslie match Germany’s Jochen Schumann’s three golds, one silver Olympic sailing haul leaving only Dane Paul Elvstrøm, winner of four consecutive golds between 1948 and 1960, with more Olympic sailing gold. Brazilian legend Torben Grael has won five Olympic sailing medals – two gold, one silver and two bronze.
Speaking immediately after the race, Ainslie said: “I’m kind of speechless, it felt like it would never come but there was great breeze and to win the race as well, I am a happy man.
“Conditions have been really tough, the light winds have been a real strength of will but today was a complete turnaround. I approached the race a bit differently to yesterday, as because the breeze was so light yesterday I couldn’t let Zach get away from me but today I was confident that with my boat speed and fitness I could get away and it all came good.”
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