Sailing Magazine
Pic by Thom Touw
The 470 men was wide open going into the medal race. Any of nine boats could theoretically have won a medal. Onan Barreiros Rodriguez and Juan Curbelo Cabrera (ESP) had a five point lead over Luke Patience and Elliot Willis (GBR) and Giulio Desiderato and Andrea Trani (ITA). On the first leg the British and Spanish teams splits sides, and at the top the right came in strong with Patience and Willis round clear ahead of Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudson (RSA).
The Spanish were at the back and in trouble. With big changes through the fleet Jim and Hudson took the lead downwind and then on the second beat, the Australians went further left and came back with a big lead at the top. With three boats in contention down the final run, Jim and Hudson defended well to finish second and take the gold from Patience and Willis who crossed third. Hugo Feydit and Charlie Agenau (FRA) finished fourth to take the bronze.
A win in Medemblik marks the first event major win for Jim and Hudson as a team, exactly three years after they raced here for their first regatta together in the 470.
