Britain adds laser gold to sailing haul

QINGDAO // Paul Goodison has won Britain's third Olympic sailing gold medal with victory in the men's laser class dinghy. Vasilij Zbogar of Slovenia took the silver and Italy's Diego Romero the bronze. Goodison was all but assured an overall win after nine preliminary races, with an 18-point lead over Rasmus Myrgren of Sweden going into the medal race. The only threat to Goodison's gold was Myrgren winning the final medal race, and the British sailor finishing last or being disqualified. Goodison engaged Myrgren in a match race at the back of the fleet to keep the Swede out of the running in the 10-boat fleet. Goodison was ninth and Myrgren was 10th in the medal race. Anna Tunnicliffe of the USA won the laser radial event, coming from behind in the final medal race to finish second and secure the top spot on overall points. Gintare Volungeviciute took the silver for Lithuania's first sailing medal of these Games, while China's Xu Lijia took bronze. British-born Tunnicliffe was ahead on overall points going into the final medal race today but needed a solid place to snatch the win. The 25-year-old was down as far as ninth out of the final 10 boats. Tunnicliffe says she spotted a wind shift on the third leg, fought her way up to third, and finished 11 seconds behind Volungeviciute to take the gold on total points after 10 races.

*AP