Britain’s Ellie Aldridge became the first Olympic gold medallist in kitesurfing with a brilliant performance in Marseille.
The discipline, which sees competitors fly above the water at up to 40 knots powered by huge kites, is making its Games debut and 27-year-old Aldridge, from Dorset, powered her way to gold by winning two races in the final series on Thursday.
The success salvages what had been a hugely disappointing regatta for Britain in one of its traditionally strongest medal sports, with Emma Wilson’s bronze in windsurfing the only previous medal.
Light winds have made it a very frustrating fortnight for the sailors, with numerous races delayed and cancelled. The men’s final has been postponed until Friday as the competitors were not able to start by the designated time.
Aldridge went into the final tied on points with France’s Lauriane Nolot but behind her on countback after failing to even reach the start line in the last race.
Three wins are needed in the final series for an athlete to secure gold, but the leader begins with two wins and second place with one, so it was all or nothing for Aldridge in the opening bout.
She handled it perfectly, leading virtually from start to finish to tie things up, and Aldridge, the world silver medallist, was even more dominant in the second race, with Nolot falling off her board early on and putting herself out of contention. Aldridge was able to cruise to the finish line before celebrating her moment of history.
“I still can’t believe it, really it’s crazy,” Aldridge said. “Today was all about winning races, if you don’t win the races then you’re not going to win so that’s how I approached the day. The first race was really close but I just about managed to get in front and stay in front and it was the same again for the second race.
“We haven’t had the easiest conditions and it’s been tricky but it’s been really cool and I hope everyone watching on TV thinks the same thing. It’s been incredible.”
