Shaw delights in windsurfing bronze
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Article Date: 2008-08-20
View Count: 263
Bryony Shaw has won
Great Britain’s first ever women’s windsurfing medal clinching RS:X bronze at
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Qingdao today (Wednesday 20
August).
Shaw, who won the
2007 Olympic Test Event, knew a top three finish in the double points medal race
would guarantee her a medal at her first ever Olympic Games, going into the race
in bronze medal position eight points behind leader Jian Yin (CHN) and five
behind Alessandra Sensini (ITA) in second.
The Brit showed her
intent from the off, flying off the start line at the second time of asking
following a general recall, reaching the top mark in second and nudging into
first place at the bottom mark.
But after World
Champion Sensini had taken over at the front of the fleet heading down to the
slalom finish, Shaw dug in and stayed comfortably ahead of nearest challengers
Jessica Crisp (AUS) and Marina Alabau (ESP) to finish the race second and take
the bronze.
Yin finished the race
in third place to claim gold with 39 points, Sensini taking silver with 40 and
Shaw winning bronze with 45.
Speaking immediately
after the race an overcome Shaw said: “I’m just so, so happy, it was such a
tough race and has been such a tough week and I’m just so happy, it’s the best
thing in the World.
“I just went out to
sail as fast as I could and well done to the Chinese and Italian girls, that was
really, really tough racing right until the end.
“I love my mum and
dad so much, they have been so supportive and my boyfriend Greg. And my coach
Dom (Tidey) is a legend!”
Shaw’s is Britain’s
fifth sailing medal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with Ben Ainslie (Finn)
and Yngling trio Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson winning gold on
Sunday, Paul Goodison taking the top Laser prize yesterday (Tuesday) and Nick
Rogers and Joe Glanfield clinching 470 men’s silver on Monday.
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