The British rider was in a league of her own throughout the Women’s Kite Medal Series, besting all opposition to take home the top prize. USA’s Daniela Moroz and the Netherlands’ Annelous Lammerts were the two athletes that progressed from the Semi-Finals, joining Aldridge and France’s Lauriane Nolot in the Final.
© World Sailing: Annelous Lammerts from The Netherlands claimed bronze
The French athlete began with a two-win advantage in the opening race and came close to wrapping up gold, tussling with Aldridge right to the finish before being narrowly beaten by the British rider. In race two Aldridge ascended once more, avoiding the chaos around the early marks to sail ahead of the fleet and storm across the finish line to take the first Olympic gold in Women’s Kite.
Nolot claimed the silver after carrying two wins into the Final, while Lammerts took bronze after Moroz was given a scoring penalty in the last race of the day.
© Sailing Energy: Nolot started the day in the lead but had to settle with silver
Aldridge said: “I feel completely overwhelmed that I almost don’t feel anything, because I can’t believe what happened. We knew Marseille was going to be a tricky venue, but you’ve got to learn how to deal with it and how to adapt when the conditions aren’t good and excel when it really matters.
“It all came down to today and I’m really happy that I managed to hold it all together and win two races. My goal was to medal and I knew that if I had the right week I could win, everything was going to have to align.”
© Nikos Alevromytis: Aldridge realises she's won gold
Nolot said: “My country and the fans are great. When I heard everybody screaming, I was like: ‘Okay Lola, you need to continue to go otherwise they’re going to boo.’ It’s really nice. I think it really gives me strength. My family are also here so that’s cool.”
Lammerts said: “I got a second chance in the last race which helped me change my game plan, take even more risk and give my all because I was battling against a six-time world champion. There was no room for error.
“I started kiteboarding in 2009. I love this sport and to now be on the biggest stage at the Olympics is amazing. To be here with the whole team after a rollercoaster few years – we managed to do it.”
© Nikos Alevromytis: Valentin Bontus came through the semi finals and won a race in the finals.
Men’s Kite: Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi and Austria’s Valentin Bontus won their respective Semi-Finals to progress in the Men’s Kite. They joined Slovenia’s Toni Vodisek and Singapore’s Max Maeder in the Final, which was postponed to tomorrow due to time limitation.
© World Sailing: Riccardo Pianosi stays to sail another day in Marseilles
HOW IT WORKS
Opening Series: On the first four days of the competition, riders compete in up to 16 races, with the objective to earn as high a ranking as possible. The top two at the end of this Opening Series qualify automatically for the Grand Final, while those ranked 3rd to 10th go into the Semi-Finals.
Semi Finals: Those 8 remaining riders are split into two equal strength semi-finals. The goal is to pick up three race wins, with the higher ranked in each semi-final carrying over two race wins, while the second in each semi-final carries over one race win. One rider from each semi-final, qualifies to make up a final four in the Grand Final.
Grand Final: The leader from the opening series starts with two race wins, and the second ranked has one. The goal is to secure three race wins, with competition ending as soon as someone achieves this. That means that the Grand Final can last from a single race to as many as six.
