One Person Dinghy (Finn), Open

Jochen Schümann would eventually compete in six Olympics and win four sailing medals for East Germany and Germany, but his gold medal in the Finn was his first Olympic appearance and medal. Going into the final race in 1976, Schümann and eventual gold medalist Andrey Balashov of the Soviet Union were tied, but Schümann finished third in the final race to Balashov’s fifth, finishing 40 seconds ahead of his rival to win the gold medal. Australian John Bertrand also had a chance to win gold on the final day, but placed sixth and took the bronze medal.

Bertrand later made sailing history in 1983 when he skippered Australia II to victory in the America’s Cup, breaking the United States’ stranglehold on that trophy, which had lasted since 1851. The 1972 gold medalist, Serge Maury of France placed 10th, while future IOC President Jacques Rogge of Belgium was back in 22nd place.