Australia’s Grae Morris is guaranteed an Olympic medal ahead of the Grand Final Medal Race in Men’s Windsurfing. Grae delivered an outstanding performance across 14 races, earning the lowest overall points and claiming the top spot on the leaderboard.
Brimming with pride as he came off the water, Grae remained focused on the final race.
"It eases my mind a little knowing that I'll be coming home with something,” Grae said.
“I won't be fully satisfied until it's over. The gold medal is still in play and that will be on my mind all night until it happens."
Grae faces a three-way shootout to determine the colour of his medal, with the first of the three sailors to cross the line seizing the gold. At 20, Grae is the youngest athlete in his event, and will become the first Australian to win a medal in Windsurfing since the 1992 Olympics.
Defending gold medallist Matt Wearn began his campaign to retain his title in Marseille, completing two races in softening breezes. He posted a 12th and a second place today, ending the day in second overall with four more qualifying days to go.
"It was a tricky day, as we expected in Marseille, so it was nice to get two solid races in,” Matt said.
“One was solid, and the other was probably average, but overall a good start.”
Zoe Thomson made her Olympic debut in Women’s Dinghy, securing a solid 12th place to kick off her ten-race series.
"I'm happy we got at least one race in, as the conditions were really tough, and I think everyone was feeling the nerves,” Zoe said.
“I'm excited to build from this solid race."
Australia’s Women’s Skiff team of Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine will have to wait another day for their Medal Race, with in-and-out puffs forcing the cancellation of both the Men’s and Women’s classes today.
Winds are expected to fill the bay from the northwest, making for tactically challenging conditions, Grae expected to compete for a medal from 10pm AEST, with other classes racing from 8pm AEST.
Lisa Darmanin
