New Zealand Laser sailor Sam Meech. Photo / AP
Sam Meech has claimed New Zealand's first sailing medal of the Rio Olympics, taking out bronze in the Laser class this morning.
Ranked in third position heading into the doubles points medal race, Meech needed to finish inside the top five to guarantee himself a medal.
The young Kiwi delivered,
finishing fourth in a dramatic medal race to hold off some top international competition chasing him down and become the first New Zealander to win a medal in the highly competitive Laser class. The Laser class is the biggest fleet at the Olympics, with 46 sailors competing.
Australian Tom Burton, who was ranked in the silver medal position, claimed the gold after a masterful tactical performance, making up the 10-points gap on Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic, who had to settle for silver.With plenty of jockeying for position in the fleet, Meech showed impressive composure to ensure he maintained his podium spot.
Meech is well accustomed to sailing under pressure. He faced intense competition to earn selection in the New Zealand team for Rio, with the 26-year-old locked in a head-to-head battle with his close friend Andy Maloney for just one spot.
