Cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin kicked-off the final Medal Race Day in Rio with a Gold Medal in the Nacra 17 class, which will premier on the 2016 Olympic program. The pair put together a complete performance across the 12 race series.
The Australians finished every race within the top eight and their consistency proved to be invaluable as they won over the current World Champions France’s Billy Besson and Marie Riou by five points.
Olympic gold medallist Mat Belcher and World Champion crew Will Ryan followed suit and claimed gold in the Men’s 470 class after finishing the final Medal Race in second and taking home the overall win.
This makes it their third win on Rio waters after winning last year’s test event as well as the Copa Brasil de Vela in December.
The third Australian crew in Saturday’s Medal Races, up and coming Finn talent Jake Lilley (QLD), secured a ninth pace in the Medal Race and overall eighth.
On Friday (21 August) Tom Burton (NSW) won the bronze medal in the Laser for Australia in a nail-biting final race in the Laser class, which saw Burton move in and out of the medal ranks throughout the race.
Olympic Gold Medallist Nathan Outteridge (NSW) and Iain Jensen (NSW) finished a confusing final Medal Race in seventh and the event outside the medal ranks in overall sixth.
– Cora Zillich
