Smith and Ryan End Olympic Debut Ranked 12th

Sailing: Women’s 470

Athlete: Carrie Smith

Venue: Marina da Gloria

Australian 470 sailors Carrie Smith and Jaime Ryan have missed qualification for the medal round of the women’s 470 at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after finishing 12^thoverall.

Smith and Ryan on Olympic debut started the day in 11^thplace and chasing strong results to force their way into the top ten medal race, but were left short, after a 15^th place effort in the first of three races for the day left them with a mountain to climb.

After missing the front of the fleet from the start, the Aussies were caught behind several crews and couldn’t make headway, eventually crossing in a time of 48:13min, with New Zealand taking line honours.

Any hopes of a dramatic fightback were stymied in the penultimate Race 9, with a 17^th ranked finish ended their medal round hopes.

They closed their Rio campaign with a 12^th place finish in the 10^th and final fleet race, rounding the first mark in eighth before falling as far as 16^th, to eventually cross 12^thin 54:20min.

Great Britain hold an unassailable lead for gold heading into the medal round, with silver and bronze set to be fought out between five crews.