Marit Bouwmeester wins gold in women’s dinghy, her 4th sailing medal in as many Games and 1st as mom

MARSEILLE, France (AP) - Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands won the gold medal in the women’s dinghy at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, marking the fourth straight Games in which she has reached the podium.

Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom, a four-time Olympian who won gold in Tokyo three years ago, took the silver medal. Line Flem Hoest of Norway got bronze and pumped her first in the air as she crossed the finish line before jumping in the water to hug her friend Rindom.

The medal races for both women and men were postponed to Wednesday because of fickle and light winds, which together with the oppressive heat have tested the physical and mental endurance of the athletes.

The 36-year-old Bouwmeester won silver in this class of sailing in London in 2012, followed by gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo. This was her first Olympic medal as a mother - her 2-year-old daughter, Jessie Mae, has become a companion in training, the medalist said.

Bouwmeester’s victory was the Netherlands' second sailing gold in these Games, following Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz in the women's skiffs. Dutch windsurfer Luuc van Opzeeland won a bronze, making the country the leader in sailing medals so far.

Rindom won bronze in 2016 before her Tokyo gold.

The men's dinghy medal race was also rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon, with Matt Wearn of Australia, the 28-year-old reigning Olympic champion, entering the still competitive regatta in first position.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games