| | Event type
5.5 metres, Open
| Date | 14 – 21 October 1968 | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Olympic | |
| Location | Club de Yates Acapulco, Bahía de Acapulco | |
| Participants | 42 from 14 countries | |
| Format | Points awarded for placement in each race. Best six of seven scores to count for final placement. | |
The 5.5-metre class was added to the Olympic Program in 1952, but it would be discontinued after the 1968 Olympics, as the trend was to smaller boats in Olympic sailing. This event was won by the Swedish Sundelin brothers, helmsman Ulf, and crew members Jörgen, and Peter. They won five of the seven races, placing fourth in race one, and fifth in the fifth race, throwing out that score.
The silver medal winning Swiss boat was skippered by Louis Noverraz, who was competing in his fourth Olympics, first having participated in 1936 at Berlin. This was his only Olympic medal, won at 66-years-old. A Norwegian boat finished 11th, skippered by HRH Crown Prince Harald of Norway.
SWE
SUI
GBR
FRG
ITA
CAN
AUS
USA
URS
FRA
NOR
MEX
DEN
PUR