Windsurfer (Lechner A-390), Men

Men had competed in a windsurfing event in 1984 while in 1988 it was supposed to be a mixed windsurfing event, although no women competed. In 1992 men’s and women’s windsurfing events were contested separately for the first time, but this would become the standard. In 1988 the Lechner Division II board had been chosen for windsurfing, but in 1992 it was the slightly modified Lechner A-390. The centreboard and mast track were moved further aft on the A-390.

Frenchman Franck David was the 1992 World Champion in this event but had a close battle with American Mike Gebhardt for the gold medal. Gebhardt led after nine races but in the final race, a plastic bag from the garbage that floated in the Barcelona harbor caught on the end of his board. Before he could dislodge it he was passed by several sailors, including David. Gebhardt fought back but could only finish third and when David won the final race, he had the gold medal. The last two Olympic champions in windsurfing, Bruce Kendall (1988) and Stephan van den Berg (1984) finished fourth and seventh, respectively. This was the only Olympic appearance for Franck David but Gebhardt was competing in his third Olympics, and would compete in five. He had won a bronze medal in this event in 1988.