What we learned: Sailing wrap-up from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

We take a look at sailing's most memorable moments at the Tokyo 2020 Games, a medal recap, and what we have to look forward to at Paris 2024.

6 min

Sailing

(2021 Getty Images)

Sailing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in 2021 delivered ten rapturous regattas that thrilled from start to finish.

Even when the weather failed to co-operate with a lack of wind causing medal races to be postponed mid-way through the competition, spirits stayed still high.

Great Britain ruled the waters hugging the Enoshima Yacht Harbour, with sailors Hannah Mills, Eilidh McIntyre, Giles Scott, Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell all claiming gold medals in their respective events.

Medals were also won by sailors hailing from countries across the world including: Brazil, China, Australia and Italy.

Below, we look back at the most memorable sailing moments in Japan, provide a recap of the medal winners and tell you what to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Top 5 sailing moments at Tokyo 2020

1- Hannah Mills becomes most decorated female Olympic sailor

Great Britain's Hannah Mills became the most decorated female Olympic sailor in history after she successfully defended her 470 title alongside Eilidh McIntyre in Japan.

The Team GB flag-bearer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremony, won a silver medal at London 2012 and then gold in Rio 2016.

33-year-old Mills, with her second Olympic gold, now betters the collection of her father Mike who won Star gold at Seoul 1988.

(2021 Getty Images)

2- Men’s 49er gold: one of the most dramatic Olympic regatta races of all time

Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell of Great Britain truly ripped up the script in the men’s 49er event.

The Britons snatched gold away from defending champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke of New Zealand who were leading the regatta heading into the final double points race.

In order to cause an upset the British crew had to finish two places ahead of the six-time world champions to clinch the Olympic title and with the Kiwis coming in third behind Germany, they were forced to look on as Team GB took home the most coveted prize.

(2021 Getty Images)

3- Brilliant Brazilians best double Dutch world champions

The women’s 49erFX medal race was perfectly poised for drama.

Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze of Brazil, the defending Olympic champions, and the two-time world champions Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz from the Netherlands were tied for points heading into the medal race.

A slow start by the Brazilians nearly hampered their chances but a gap at the committee boat in the last 10 seconds meant that they came third around the first mark with the Netherlands in fifth.

The Dutch pair then were the ones in trouble as they found themselves tussling with Germany and Spain for silver and bronze, with the gold now out of reach as the Brazilians sailed on.

The woes only continued for Bekkering and Duetz, and it was only up the final windward leg that they were able to pull back two critical places, enough to keep them in the medals but also now out of contention for silver.

After a long and tough regatta, the Brazilians were all but delighted to retain their title.

(2016 Getty Images)

4- Australian pair demolish the field to win gold in 470 class

Matthew Belcher and Will Ryan put on an authoritative display to win gold in the men’s 470 class.

When it came to the medal race the two only needed to avoid disqualification such was their superiority in the preliminary races.

Even with that in mind the duo didn’t hold back. They won the final race at Enoshima Yacht Harbour to cement their dominance over the field.

The gold medal marks an improvement on the pair’s performance from Rio 2016 where they walked away with the silver. For Belcher, gold in Japan matches his triumph at London 2012.

(2021 Getty Images)

5- Italians claim first mixed event gold in Nacra 17

Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti of Italy put on a classy display to win their gold medal in the Nacra 17 mixed event.

The Italian lead the regatta from the first day, and even when the chasing British pair of John Gimson and Anna Burnet finished one place ahead of them in the medal race, such was their lead over the British pair who took silver.

(2021 Getty Images)

One last look

With five successive Olympic titles in the men's Finn competition, Giles Scott had some task protecting his country's legacy in the competition.

The Briton, however, didn't falter. He successfully defended his title in what unfolded to be a thrilling medal race. Scott had a nine-point lead going into the last race but after a slow start was forced to find another gear to clinch the gold.

With title number six safely in the bag, Britain extends its dominance over the race which began as far back as Sydney 2000, 21 years ago.

With the Finn not being selected for the Paris 2024 programme, not only will be bidding the race goodbye but we may also have seen the last of Scott at an Olympic Games.

(2016 Getty Images)

Hello Paris

Wondering what venue will host the Olympic sailing events at Paris 2024?

The newly designed Roucas Blanc Marina in Marseille, internationally famed for its sailing conditions, will play host to the Olympic sailing competition.

(2021 Getty Images)

When and where to watch sailing replays on Olympics.com

The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays

When will the Olympic sailors compete next?

The next Sailing World Championships – for the 10 events contested at the Olympics – will be held in 2023 and will take place in The Hague, in the Netherlands.