Netherland's women's skiff world champions Odile van Aanholt and
Annette Duetz added Olympic gold to their collection in sailing at the Paris
2024 regatta in Marseille despite an error that saw the pair stop prematurely,
thinking they had crossed the finish line.
On home water, Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon of France took home bronze
with 79 points, while Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Netzler of Sweden grabbed silver
with 76 points against the Netherlands' 74.
Dutch crew recover
after stopping too early
Up to the medal race for the skiff races on Friday, August 2, 2024, sailing activities at Paris 2024 were affected by unpredictable circumstances.
Up to the crucial medal race—which awarded double points—twelve races had been completed. With two top ten results the day before, French duo Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon had gained the lead off the coast of Marseille.
With confidence that their performance would be sufficient to win gold, the Netherlands led the whole medal race and appeared to be sailing peacefully past the finish line and into celebration.
But when they realized they had stopped sprinting too soon, believing they had passed the finish line, panic broke out.
They rebounded fast, but not before Italy and Sweden came through to win the crucial match in first
and second place. Third place Netherlands were anxiously awaiting the points
shakedown to determine medal spots.
The Dutch crew's gold medal was verified, and they let out screams of joy and
relief, while the Swedish pair—who were the 2023 world champions—were busy
celebrating their silver.
After the race, van Aanholt commented, "It's crazy and a bit unbelievable
but so, so good," before talking about the commotion at the finish.
"We knew something was amiss when we passed the finish line without
hearing a trumpet, so it was a little strange. We are rather pleased with our
tenacity there. As a team, we acted quickly to decide, "Okay, this is plan
B. Let's go." We were unable to have ultimately performed it any better.
It's just a relief, then. I am incredibly joyful."
Netzler, the silver medallist, said: "It feels amazing. It's hard to
believe how empty we are at the moment. Everyone is here, including our
relatives."
With a well-earned bronze, France was also thrilled. An emotional Steyaert
commented on coming out of retirement for a home Games, saying, "It's
incredible." I returned since it took place in Marseille and we only won
one medal. I'm overjoyed."
Picon, one of her compatriots, had actually realized her goal.
"I predicted that we would win bronze at breakfast on the first day of the
race as I had dreamed about it that night. We won the bronze so everything we
accomplished this week has me ecstatic."
The two-time Olympic gold medalists from Brazil, Martine Soffiatti Grael and
Kahena Kunze, were not able to repeat their success in the event, placing fifth
in the medal race and eighth overall.
podium for women's skiffs:
Gold: Annette Duetz and Odile van Aanholt (both Netherlands)
Silver: Rebecca Netzler and Vilma Bobeck (Sweden)
Bronze: Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon (France)
See all the results on Olympics.com.
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