Team GB win gold! Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell secure dramatic victory in 49er FX medal race to win nation’s TWELFTH gold in Tokyo and end New Zealand dominance in the sport
Britain won a sailing gold medal in the most dramatic imaginable circumstances, with Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell taking the 49er men’s skiff title by inches.
The victorious pair had to beat Germany in the medal race and they were duelling it out as the last of four legs came to an end.
Everyone held their breath but the British boat crossed fractionally ahead of the Germans to take the gold on countback from New Zealand, who finished third on the day.
Team GB have won their twelfth gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 49er FX sailing
Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell edged out New Zealand in dramatic fashion at Enoshima
The British duo had to beat New Zealand and hope at least one boat finished between them and their rivals. They just sneaked over the line in front of Germany to do so
Fletcher and Bithell wave a Union Jack flag as they celebrate their huge victory on Tuesday
Fletcher and Bithell’s triumph ends New Zealand’s longstanding dominance in the sport and the pair roared unleashed a roar of emotion after clinching victory in the most dramatic fashion.
This could be an amazing day for the British team at Enoshima with Giles Scott leading going into the Finn medal race as he aims to bag his second Olympic title.
Elsewhere, Britain’s Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey failed to pick up a medal in the delayed women’s 49er FX.
The duo went into the final, delayed by 24 hours due to poor weather conditions in Japan, in fifth place, but were unable to improve on that position as they finished seventh in the race and sixth overall.
More to follow.