Paris 2024: Men's Kite Finals Updates
by Magnus Smith 9 Aug 13:30 BST
9 August 2024
Gold for Valentin Bontus (AUT) - Men's Kite Final at Paris 2024 © World Sailing / Sander van der Borch
The last sailing events at the Olympics reach their conclusion on 9th August 2024. From 10:00am to 13:30pm GMT/UTC this page can be refreshed for live updates.
The day began with a postponement as we waited for the wind to settle. It was blowing about 5 knots in the morning.
Toni Vodisek (SLO) already has two penalties for being late to the marshalling area, and for not bringing his helmet, before the racing has started. Winning the opening race isn't going to get him a first place!
The other three competitors are Valentin Bontus (AUT), Riccardo Pianosi (ITA), and Maximilian Maeder (SGP).
After several hours of waiting, we finally hear that racing will start around 12:50 GMT/UTC. We now have 8-11 knots of wind on the course area, just north of Marseille harbour, in the bay. The kiters are getting over 20 knots of speed as they wait for the last 15 minutes before the start.
Finals Race 2
With 11 knots on the course, the men are using the biggest (23 metre) kites. Everyone seems to be favouring the committee boat end, but Toni Vodisek fell off his foil and was in the water with 16 seconds to go!
Maximilian Maeder was the initial leader, but Toni Vodisek tacked off soon after the start and made a gain to cross in front of the other three.
Valentin Bontus rounded the windward mark first and looked to have a good gap ahead of the other three. He held it to Mark 2, though his rounding may have not been the best.
Valentin Bontus executed beautifully graceful tacks and was still in the lead at Mark 3. Riccardo Pianosi took a big tumble at the mark and was in the water for too long.
Valentin Bontus (AUT) took the finish gun over 6 seconds ahead of Toni Vodisek (SLO) in second (who then had to add his penalty, and is scored as third). Maximilian Maeder (SGP) crossed the line third. Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) was last.
Finals Race 3
Riccardo Pianosi and Maximilian Maeder went ashore, and we suspect they are choosing a smaller kite (21 metres). Perhaps tacking will now be easier.
Valentin Bontus is definitely staying on the water with his largest kite, possibly due to his bodyweight. The wind is now reaching 14 knots.
We have two riders going into this race each with two wins under their belts - they are on match point. Riccardo Pianosi is in the tense position of having no wins to count... yet...
With 2 minutes to the start the wind is dropping to around 10 knots. Will those who changed kite size be cursing?
Toni Vodisek (SLO) is the only one opting for a port tack start at the pin end, but he crossed the line last. Valentin Bontus (AUT) made the best start.
Speeds upwind were around 22-24 knots but the different size kites are not making an obvious difference.
After rounding the top mark, Toni Vodisek (SLO) put a gybe in, and landed splat in the water, extending the gap he was trailing by.
Valentin Bontus (AUT) was ahead at the leeward mark. Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) is just beind him, on a way smaller kite (only 15 metre).
Mark 3 saw Valentin Bontus still leading, and he extended his lead all the way down this leg. Riders were hitting 30 knot speeds.
Valentin Bontus of Austria wins, age 23, and takes the gold medal immediately, with a huge scream!
Riccardo Pianosi was second, Maximilian Maeder third, and Toni Vodisek last after a significant time period.
Toni Vodisek (age 24) has taken the silver medal for Slovenia, and Maximilian Maeder the bronze for Singapore.
Valentin Bontus popped in a freestyle victory jump as he headed to shore.
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