Giles Scott admits he has enjoyed the “huge luxury” of having two days to reflect on his achievement after he sailed to Finn gold in Rio yesterday (Tuesday 16 August).
Southampton alumnus Scott went into yesterday’s medal race knowing that, providing he successfully competed, he could not be knocked off top spot, with his nearest rival Vasilij Zbogar (SLO) 24-points behind.
The 29-year-old was never going to simply cruise around Guanabara Bay and, just as he has throughout the entire regatta, proved his dominance downwind as he moved from fourth, at the first mark, to second at mark two, where he stayed.
Yesterday’s medal race was won by Caleb Paine (USA), who claimed bronze, while Zbogar claimed the silver medal, with a final 32-point victory margin for the Brit.
Scott said: “It’s not often you can say you’ve won an Olympic medal before the Medal Race. We knew coming into Rio that the racing wasn’t going to be easy and regardless of form, it was always going to be a hard week, and it certainly was that.
Scott’s victory means that Britain has now won the Finn men’s heavyweight dinghy class at the last five Olympics – Iain Percy (Sydney 2000), Ben Ainslie (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012) and Scott (Rio 2016).
“I’m going to have a few weeks off, but then the whip will come out I’m sure. I’m just looking forward to getting back home after the Olympic closing ceremony.” Scott commented.
Ben Saxton (Southampton graduate) and Nicola Groves went into Tuesday’s Nacra class medal race knowing a podium finish was a long shot and so it proved as they crossed the line ninth in the race to confirm the same position in overall standings.
“The whole Olympic experience is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, so I think you can take so much out of that and onto whatever you decide to do next.” said Ben.