Medal hopes of Team GB pair Paul Goodison and Ali Young sink in Weymouth

 

Simon Peach
Saturday 04 August 2012 22:21 BST
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Paul Goodison in the sailing
Paul Goodison in the sailing (GETTY IMAGES)

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Great Britain's Paul Goodison and Ali Young both saw their London 2012 medal hopes ended today.

After a successful day on the water for the British sailing team yesterday, this afternoon proved a disappointment as the duo's podium hopes were extinguished.

Reigning Laser gold medallist Goodison came into the regatta amongst the favourites but has struggled all week due to a back injury picked up in just the second race.

The Yorkshireman came off the water in tears on Tuesday but fought on courageously to complete the 10-race opening series.

Goodison secured a ninth and then an eighth today to leave him sixth overall, meaning he will compete in Monday's medal race but without a chance of a medal due to the points margin.

Olympic debutant Young is in the same situation after fleet racing came to a close in the Laser Radial class.

The 25-year-old began the Games in fine form and was third overall midway through the regatta.

However, Young began to taper off and saw her hopes of a top three ended today as she was black flagged in the afternoon, before then finishing fourth in the last fleet race.

There was better news for Great Britain in the men's RS:X class as Nick Dempsey moved joint second after eight races.

The Peterborough-raised windsurfer got a second and a third today to move level on points with Germany's Toni Wilhelm, although a sizeable gap separates them and Dutch leader Dorian van Rijsselberge.

Bronze medallist from 2008 Bryony Shaw still has a chance of a podium finish in the women's RS:X class after today's racing.

The 29-year-old placed seventh and fifth and sits seventh overall, with 16 points separating her from the medal places.

Elsewhere, Great Britain's lost their round robin matches to the Netherlands and United States in the Elliott 6m, although the Lucy Macgregor-skippered team has secured safe passage to the quarter-finals.

Great Britain's men and women 470 teams continued their solid starts to the regatta this afternoon.

Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell finished third and fourth today, leaving them second overall after six races.

Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are also second after following yesterday's strong start with a fourth and second in Weymouth Bay.

PA

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