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Thompson poised for final medal push

by Imogen Stanley 15 Aug 2016 09:59 BST 8-18 August 2016

Nick Thompson still has his eye on the Rio podium as he prepares for his Laser Medal Race later today (14:05 local time, 18:05 BST).

Thompson, currently sixth overall, is realistically in a five-way scrap for bronze with anyone from Sam Meech (NZL), who currently occupies the final medal spot, to London 2012 silver medallist, Pavlos Kontides (CYP) in seventh able to claim bronze.

With so many sailors still in the hunt for podium places, and the Medal Race worth double points for every position, Thompson can't afford to think about the various permutations, he simply has to go out, try to win the race and hope that everything else falls into place behind him. The Laser Medal race is scheduled for 6pm BST.

The Brit mathematically could still finish tied on points with second-placed Tom Burton (AUS), and claim the silver medal on account of finishing ahead of the Aussie in the Medal Race. But again, with so many sailors still in medal contention ahead of the Ringwood-based man all the stars would have to perfectly align for Thompson.

Anyone can try sailing for free in Thompson's hometown of Lymington as part of the RYA's Sail for Gold Roadshows at Lymington Town Sailing Club from 10am tomorrow.

All comers are then invited to watch the Medal Race and cheer him on with all his clubmates and members of the British Sailing Team, including Thompson's pre-Olympic training partners, Elliott Hansen and Lorenzo Chiavarini, at Royal Lymington Yacht Club from 5pm.

Britain's Alison Young is also set to compete in the Laser Radial Medal Race from 5pm BST, in which she will be aiming to end her regatta on a high after the disappointment of not being in a position to finish on the podium.

Both races are scheduled to take place on the tricky Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf) course, on which Thompson enjoyed a decent performance on Saturday, and shown live on the BBC.

For live as they happen updates off the water follow @BritishSailing on Twitter with more news at Rio 2016 visit www.rya.org.uk/Rio2016 and Facebook at www.facebook.com/britishsailingteam

Read all the Rio 2016 news, see the schedule and find useful links at www.yachtsandyachting.com/rio2016

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