First sailing medals in history for ParalympicsGB
ParalympicsGB’s sailors became the first in history to win Paralympic sailing medals for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, winning a gold and a bronze.
Weymouth was scheduled to host medal races across three sailing events today, the three-person keelboat sonar, the two-person keelboat (SKUD18) and the single person keelboat 2.4mR class, but a lack of wind prevented the medal races taking place.
As the sailing medals go to sailors who have accumulated the best score over eleven races, the medals were awarded to the sailors with the best standings after ten races, missing out the final.
This meant gold for Helena Lucas in the single keelboat race and bronze for Niki Birrell and Alexandra Rickham (pictured, above left) in the two-person race.
Despite Great Britain being the most successful nation in Olympic sailing history, their Paralympic counterparts came into London 2012 without a medal since the sport’s introduction 12 years ago.
Appeal rejected
John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas were in bronze medal position at the end of the tenth race, but were penalised four points last night for a rule infringement.
After a request to re-open the case was rejected overnight, the British team saw a further protest against the international jury fail today.
