Paris 2024: Italy claims Windsurfer Gold

Marseille, France (August 3, 2024) – The Women’s Windsurfer is one of 10 Sailing events held at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Using the iQFOiL equipment, 24 nations competed in the 14-race Opening Series on July 28-August 1, with the top 10 advancing to the Medal Series on August 2. When light air prevailed that day, the knock-out format was postponed to today to finalize the results. Here’s the final report:

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Event details – Results – Notice Board

Marta Maggetti wrapped up a memorable gold medal for Italy with a fine performance in the Medal Series. Despite not winning a race in the Opening Series, Maggetti rose to the occasion when the pressure amplified to top the podium.

Peru’s Maria Belen Bazo and China’s Zheng Yan were the top two in the Quarter-Final race and progressed to the Semi-Final where they met Maggetti and Israel’s Sharon Kantor.

The reigning world champion Kantor won the race and was closely followed by Maggetti, meaning the two progressed to the Final to face off with Great Britain’s Emma Wilson who had dominated the Opening Series.

With the standings decided by the final race, Wilson was again in the lead approaching the last weather mark but overstood the layline, allowing Maggetti and Kantor to slip through, dropping the Brit to third.

“I’m so happy. I wasn’t stressed today,” noted Maggetti. “After I finished the Semi-Final I cried a bit, but then I focused and told myself I wanted the gold. In the first lap I was close, but in third, I tacked for the mark before Emma and Sharon, so I did less distance on the race course. There was no public in Tokyo, no crowd, so the atmosphere here is different and it’s so nice.”

Maggetti finished fourth in the event at Tokyo 2020, and won the 2022 iQFOiL World Championship.

Israel – Silver
“I was a bit nervous, but it was an exciting situation,” shared Kantor. “When I got to the Final I felt relief. To get a medal for me is enough. I am so happy.”

Great Britain – Bronze
“I was ahead, made a mistake on the layline,” admitted Wilson. “I hadn’t done a race yet and the other girls had done a race, so they knew where the layline was. I’ll be proud when I get on the podium. The girls I race against are amazing. I have been racing Marta since I was eight, she’s an amazing person so I’m really happy for her.”

The British rider admitted that with time, the wounds might heal and she might come to appreciate the bronze medal she had just added to her Tokyo bronze. “Yeah, it will. Maybe tomorrow, maybe in a week, but for now it really hurts.”

To watch video replay, click here.

Final Results:
1. Marta Maggetti (ITA)
2. Sharon Kantor (ISR)
3. Emma Wilson (GBR)
13. Mariana Aguilar Chavez Peon (MEX)
22. Dominique Stater (USA)

Event details – Results – Notice Board

Source: World Sailing