One Person Dinghy (Laser), Open

In 1996 Brazilian Robert Scheidt had won this event, defeating the British silver medalist, Ben Ainslie. This ignited a rivalry between them with Scheidt defeating Ainslie at the 1997 and 2000 World Championships and Ainslie defeating Scheidt in 1999. In Sydney Scheidt led Ainslie by seven points going into the final race. The only way Ainslie could win was for Scheidt to finish 22nd or higher. Ainslie resolved to win by harassing Scheidt. At the start he forced him into a penalty turn. After the start, Ainslie continually blocked Scheidt’s wind and prevented him from passing. Scheidt eventually made an incorrect turn and hit Ainslie’s boat, allowing Scheidt to get ahead but he could only finish 22nd and the gold medal went to Ainslie. Well, it did, after Scheidt’s two protests against Ainslie were turned down, and, eventually, Scheidt was disqualified for hitting Ainslie. Ainslie’s tactics were tough, but legal.

The two would continue to compete against one another. At the 2012 Olympics, both won their fifth Olympic medals, equalling the record of Brazilian Torben Grael. This was also the first of four consecutive gold medals for Ainslie, who would soon switch to the Finn for the next three gold medals, equalling the Olympic best of Dane Paul Elvstrøm. After Ainslie switched to Finn, Scheidt won the 2004 Laser gold medal, and then switched to the Star class.