Tokyo, Japan, July 31: China's Lu Yunxiu claimed the women's windsurfer RS:X Olympic gold at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour on Saturday.
Despite a third-place finish in the medal race that gave Lu six points, the 24-year-old sailor emerged winner of the 13 races with 36 net points.
Rio 2016 champion Charline Picon of France and Emma Wilson of Britain tied at 38 net points, and Picon took silver thanks to a top finish over Wilson in the medal race.
Lu's gold at Tokyo 2020 was the third Olympic gold medal for China in sailing, after Yin Jian won the women's RS:X in 2008 and Xu Lijia won the women's laser radial in 2012.
Lu had a good track record competing on the Olympic waters in 2019 but hadn’t been seen in international competition since then, due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. It turns out that her training based in China worked very well.
“I have a very strong team that I’m thankful for and they helped me a lot,” she said. “We have many local and national competitions which helped me train and get prepared for the Olympics. I want to thank my team for helping me to win this medal.
“The medal race was tough, not only because we didn't have much wind but also because of the struggle in myself, within me, about whether I could overcome and believe in myself that I could win."
China added a bronze medal in the men’s windsurfing event through Bi Kun, who finished third behind Kiran Badloe (NED) and Thomas Goyard (FRA).
