GOLD AND SILVER OLYMPIC MEDALS FOR COUNTY SAILORS
DYLAN Fletcher and Stuart Bithell snatched a brilliant sailing gold by centimetres in one of the most dramatic Olympic regatta races ever, writes James Toney, of Sportsbeat, in Tokyo.
For Fletcher, 33, from Market Harborough, it was a dream realised – and on a famous day on the waters of Sagami Bay, where British sailors secured double gold and a silver, there were few more popular winners.
Bithell and Fletcher, racing in the 49er skiff, needed to finish two positions clear of New Zealanders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke – and did so by centimetres.
“It dreamt this would happen,” Fletcher said.
“It was last week a few days before racing. I was like ‘don’t engage, don’t tell anyone’ but it was amazing to feel that dream come true. It wasn’t quite that close in my dream.
“I think it’s been super close all week in racing and this showed off what it’s been like. It was an intense race but it’s mind-blowing to be sat here now being Olympic champions.
It has been a year of remarkable sporting success for the county – City’s cup win, promotion for City women, Mark Selby’s world title, another trophy for the Riders... Not to mention a hat-full of Olympic medals from Loughborough-linked athletes in the pool and elsewhere. Now we can add another, perhaps less likely, sport to the roll of honour – sailing - with thrilling gold and silver
“I thought we had it to be honest but I knew it was touch and go. Stu did an incredible job of making the boat go fast and we just nicked it at the end.”
This regatta largely goes unnoticed for the first week of the Games, races are staged, weather delays, points are accumulated and bad results discarded.
But medal races, worth double points, add tension and jeopardy and, it seems, drama undiluted.
You need a special chemistry to work together at such close quarters and Bithell and Fletcher complement each other brilliantly.
It meant when the pressure was on in a thrilling chase to the line, it was all business and no panic.
“We just gelled well together. Dyl’s very technical, he likes the numbers, I’m more of a feel man,” said Bithell.
“We use a bit of both at different times. Dyl’s a bit more fiery in the boat and I’m more calming.
“I think we just bounce off each other really well and tap into each other’s personality and strengths at the right time.”
The sun was barely over the yard arm before the celebrations started for the British team – and they will continue for a while yet for Fletcher, who will get married to team-mate Charlotte Dobson later this month.
“It is the start of a big month,” he said. “I don’t even know what date it is, it’s maybe three weeks until we get married. “We haven’t even invited everyone, we haven’t done suits. There’s so many things most people sort out that, hopefully, Charlotte will do.” Stream every unmissable moment of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 live on discovery+, the Streaming Home of the Olympics.
It was an intense race but it’s mind-blowing to be sat here now being Olympic champions
Dylan Fletcher