Laser precision takes Briton home

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-20 08:34

Paul Goodison of Britain, sailing in the Laser class sailing competition, poses for photographers after winning gold yesterday in Qingdao. Reuters

Paul Goodison secured Britain's third gold of the Olympic regatta when he made up for disappointment in Athens by winning the Laser title yesterday.

The 30-year-old had considered quitting the sport after the frustration of coming fourth four years ago.

Slovenia's Vasilij Zbogar, the Athens bronze medalist, went one better this time and Italian Diego Romero secured bronze.

Goodison and Zbogar leapt out of their boats and embraced each other in a bear-hug in the water after the finish. The pair then posed for photographers in Zbogar's boat before heading back to the marina.

Goodison held a commanding advantage over nearest pursuer Rasmus Myrgren after nine races in the opening series.

With sailing scores measured cumulative over 10 races, Goodison was all but a shoo-in for a medal. All he had to do was keep Myrgren from winning and securing a points lead.

So it was that his focus yesterday in Qingdao during the final medal race in his category was not to win but to hold back the Swede, who needed to win the medal race and see his rival come 10th and last to deny the Briton gold.

Goodison's blocking tactics relegated Myrgren to the back of the fleet and kept him out of the medal positions.

"It might not have been the best way to do it but with the conditions being so tricky, it was the best way of making sure of gold," Goodison said.

"It's been a testing week but I hung in there and delivered yesterday, which made it a bit easier today."

Goodison began the regatta in slow fashion, finishing 15th in the first and third races before hitting form, as he had done when winning the Games test event in Qingdao last year.

While Goodison shone, double world champion and world No 1 Tom Slingsby failed to get into contention.

The Australian was eliminated before the medal race, and finished 22nd overall.

Athens Laser gold winner Robert Scheidt of Brazil is competing in the Star class at the Games.

Britain, the leading nation in Olympic sailing, have also won gold in the Finn and Yngling, and silver in the men's 470. Britain have an overall haul of 13 golds, lifting them to third in the medals table.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/20/2008 page12)