Race Day 7 - RS:X Men Report
Written by RYA | 04 August 2012
Silver lining as Dempsey returns to action
Nick Dempsey moved into silver medal position in the RS:X Men’s windsurfing class after a productive day seven of the Olympic Sailing Regatta at Weymouth and Portland today (Saturday 4 August).
Dempsey returned to action after yesterday’s rest day lying fourth overall and immediately set about trying to reel in the top pack by taking a second behind leader Dorian Van Rijsselberge (NED) in the opening race of the day, their seventh race overall.
The Athens 2004 bronze medallist then engaged in a thrilling head-to-head battle against Van Rijsselberge, keeping the Dutchman in third while he retained second place until the final set of marks when Van Rijsselberge managed to edge ahead.
Dempsey’s second and third from the day saw him leap into second overall, tied with Toni Wilhelm (GER) on 24 points, with Van Rijsselberge looking increasingly comfortable in first after eight races.
But with two races and the double points medal race still to come, Dempsey will keep giving it his all.
He said: “I made a little mistake in the last race and took a risk on the fourth lap and it didn’t pay off. It always hurts to lose a place. It was a good day but I’m kind of running out of races. I’m joint second at the moment and you don’t win the regatta in the first few days so you’re just doing everything you can at the moment.
“I’m still staying in it and I’m sailing well. It’s good to be up there but the gold medal is getting further and further away so I need a very special day tomorrow or we will be racing for seconds.”
The RS:X Men are scheduled to resume racing tomorrow (Sunday 5 August) at 2pm on the Portland Harbour course.
The Olympic Sailing Regatta runs from Sunday 29 July – Saturday 11 August. The RS:X Men’s medal race is scheduled for Tuesday 7 August (1pm).
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