Dempsey vows to get gold charge back on track
by Imogen Stanley 11 Aug 2016 23:17 BST
8-18 August 2016
Frustrated Nick Dempsey vowed to pile the pressure back on new RS:X Men's windsurfing leader, the reigning Olympic champion Dorian Van Rijsselberge (NED), after admitting small mistakes cost him in Rio today (Thursday 11 August).
Dempsey, who resumed racing after a rest day yesterday with a one-point advantage in first place, looked in the mood to further tighten his grip on top spot as he sailed to second place in the day's opening race to extend his overall lead to three points.
But with Van Rijsselberge firing in two bullets in the next two races and Dempsey's speed not being reflected in his race results, the Dutchman edged ahead of the Brit.
The RS:X Men are scheduled to contest their final three races of their 12-race series tomorrow before Sunday's final double points Medal Race showdown. And Dempsey knows what he has to do before that.
He said: "I was winning every race today and I didn't win every race. I made mistakes, which is annoying because I was sailing brilliantly. I sailed really, really well and had opportunities to close it out but I didn't I made a couple of mistakes. They were only small mistakes, but on a day like today you get punished hard.
"That last race was really costly, especially from the dominant position that I was in. I had a cover on Dorian and on the fleet, the wind stated to swing so I dug back into the left and I got hammered.
"Tomorrow I think I need much the same but to attack Dorian a bit more. It's just frustrating when you've been a good solid potion to go backwards. It's hard, it's a game of snakes and ladders and sometimes you get caught out."
The RS:Xs were again inside Guanabara Bay, on the Escola Naval course, today and the winds were typically wacky, with unpredictable puffs of up to 15 knots injecting otherwise light airs.
Van Rijsselberge heads the pack with 16 points, to Dempsey's 24 in second and 2016 World Champion, Piotr Myszka (POL), in third on 29 points.
The RS:X class is scheduled to contest a 13 race series, with three races per day on 8, 9, 11 and 12 August before the final one off medal race on Sunday 14 August.
To follow Dempsey's fortunes at Rio 2016 visit www.rya.org.uk/Rio2016, follow @BritishSailing on Twitter and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/britishsailingteam
Useful links, the full sailing schedule and the latest news can be found at www.yachtsandyachting.com/rio2016