WA Girls Win Gold in a Dinghy

WAIS sailors Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson have claimed Western Australia‘s first gold medal of the 2008 Beijing Games after completing the final medal round with the most points.

In a fitting result, it was the 470 dinghy partnership of Rechichi and Parkinson who claimed gold, as they were also the first WA athletes selected into the Australian Olympic team.

The dynamic duo has sailed beautifully in conditions that have suited the pair, with light winds in favour of the girl’s smaller frames.

Heading into the eleventh and final medal round there were ten boats left, with Australia just needing to finish in ninth place or better. Rechichi and Parkinson claimed ninth position, with Holland only able to finish fifth. Brazil, who won the final stage, took bronze.

WAIS sailing program coordinator, Brian Glencross was absolutely thrilled for the WA girls and their thoroughly deserved success.

“It was a fantastic result,” Glencross said. “What has paid off is their commitment, hard work and dedication, and the commitment to planning which has given them the ultimate result, they can be completely satisfied so congratulations.

Glencross believes the girls will enjoy the fruits of their labours after a tremendous campaign.

“I think they’ll have a celebration tonight, but they’ll also be relieved that it’s all over and that they have achieved what they aimed to do,” said Glencross.

The girls’ success continues WAIS’ proud history in the 470 event, following in the footsteps of WAIS sailing Coach Belinda Stowell who won gold in the same event in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games.