Dutch sailor Marit Bouwmeester realises dream of being the ‘best of all time’

PARIS – Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands had always wanted to be the best, and on Aug 5 she secured gold in the women’s dinghy to become the most successful woman in Olympic sailing, after building an unassailable lead.

“It feels incredible, because as a youngster, one time they said ‘You’re not good enough’ and that was when I said ‘I am going to be the best of all time’,” said the 36-year-old.

“I always chased that dream,” Bouwmeester insisted, adding that she was only 16 when she made it her mission.

The Dutch sailor stood on her dinghy, arms aloft, to celebrate after flag signals from officials confirmed racing was over for the day, handing her victory in the series.

“It is a bit of a relief maybe. Of course you want to fight for it because that’s what you want as an athlete, but what a tough day,” she said of the moment she knew she had won, adding she was not sure if this would be her last Games.

Bouwmeester still had to compete in the medal race on Aug 6 – it was delayed at press time due to the weather – to be confirmed as champion.

Significantly, she would then become the most successful woman in Olympic sailing with two golds, a silver and a bronze, overhauling Britain’s Hannah Mills, who has two golds and a silver.

“I’m genuinely so happy for Marit for her unbelievable performance for these Olympics and all the others, as well as being a brilliant mum and just all-round awesome person,” Mills said, regarding Bouwmeester’s achievement.

“The more female athletes in our sport and others that are achieving incredible things the better.”

On her voyage to realising her dream, Bouwmeester won gold in 2016, silver in 2012 and bronze in Tokyo. At these Games, she brought her two-year-old daughter with her.

“I’ve done enough for now. I’m going to go back to the family and get some rest,” she said of her immediate plans, thanking them for the support they had given her as she juggles the demands of an Olympic campaign.

“Sometimes I felt I did them short because in sailing you have to travel a lot and it’s quite tough. So I’m very happy at least that we get to bring home the gold medal.”

There were wild celebrations among Dutch supporters as the Netherlands had already won gold in the women’s skiff and bronze in the men’s windsurfing.

Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom, Bouwmeester’s closest rival in Marseille and the Tokyo champion, secured silver.

“It’s huge just to get to an Olympic Games, and be here for the fourth time and secure a medal, it’s amazing,” the 33-year-old said, adding that Bouwmeester had performed really well. “Hats off, she definitely did the job.”

The women dinghy sailors have had to navigate delays, abandoned races, strong winds and intense heat. Frustrating wind shifts meant one painfully slow race for the 43 sailors, but the result on Aug 5 was enough for Bouwmeester to come out top, despite her worst performance of the series.

In equestrian, Germany’s Christian Kukuk with his grey gelding Checker 47 won gold in individual showjumping, showing a flawless ride in the final jump-off between the three best riders on Aug 6.

Kukuk’s victory, which followed German gold medals in individual eventing and dressage as well as in the dressage team competition, cemented the country’s standing as the main equestrian bastion.

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat won silver with his horse Dynamix de Belheme, while Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten with horse Beauville Z was third.

In the day’s main shocker a little earlier, Sweden’s showjumping star Henrik von Eckermann, the world champion who was seen as one of the hottest contenders for gold, fell from his mount King Edward, resulting in his elimination.

The roughly 16,500 people at the Versailles arena held their breath when the gelding started to falter midway through the course. Von Eckermann fell into the sand seconds later when the horse suddenly stopped. He was seen walking out of the arena with no apparent signs of injury.

In diving, China’s Quan Hongchan retained her women’s 10m platform gold with a score of 425.60, while compatriot Chen Yuxi claimed silver with 420.70 points. The duo had earlier clinched gold in the synchronised 10m platform event on July 31.

North Korean Kim Mi Rae was third (372.10). REUTERS, AFP