August 19, 2008

The Ultimate in Good Sportsmanship

          Every now and then in sailing something very special happens, that is worthy of high praise.  The story of the Danish 49er team is amazing.  On the way out to the racecourse in the medal race Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirketerp Ibsen were leading in the standings. The wind was blowing about 20 knots and the seas were huge.  Unfortunately, they slammed hard into a big wave and the mast went over the side.  This was the end of their Gold medal quest. 

           On the way back to the Qingdao Sailing Center the duo was feeling pretty low, as the other nine boats were sailing out to the starting line. Meanwhile in the media center the Croatian sailing team coach was watching the world feed television pictures of the Danes sailing in with the mast cracked in half.  He summoned his own 49er crew to rig their boat.  When the Danes arrived at the launch ramp Palve Kostov and Petar Cupac had their 49er rigged up and ready to go.  The Croatians had been eliminated and stood in 17^th place, and out of the medal race. The Danish coach meanwhile informed the race committee of the boat swap about 15 minutes before the race start.

           With renewed spirits Warrer and Kirketerp headed for the starting line about one half mile away.  As they rounded the large seawall the 49er starting sequence was already underway.  The fleet took off leaving the Danes in the Croat boat struggling to get to the starting line.   Under the rules you must cross the starting line within four minutes of the actual start.  Could the Danes make it?  They were now in the race of their lives against the clock, not the rest of the fleet.  American rules advisor Dave Perry was on the starting line watching his watch. The seconds were racing by.  Several coaches, out on the water, and even some race committee were yelling encouragement.  The Danes crossed the line with a whopping three seconds to spare.  Further up the course the 49ers were struggling. One boat after another capsized.  It was a race to remember.  Eventually the Danes made it across finish line in last place.  BUT 3 boats were unable to finish the race due to equipment problems.  So Warrer and Kirketerp placed 7^th. 

           A sticky issue developed after the race.  The International measurers protested the Danish over the boat swap.  The International Jury headed by the highly respected John Doerr of Great Britain spent two days listening to testimony and discussed the issue thoroughly.  The jury ruled that the boat swap was proper. The 7^th place finish gave the Danes 61 points.  Spain, with 64, was in second.  Denmark had won the Gold.  But the real heroes were the great sportsmen from Croatia.   

           In 1988 Canadian Finn sailor, Lawrence Lemieux, lost a bronze medal on a windy day in South Korea by pulling off the racecourse to rescue a 470 crew from Singapore.  The young 470 were in serious distress, and looked to be sinking.  Lemieux sailed over and pulled the young sailors out of the water.  He was awarded the IOC Sportsmanship Medal for his courageous act.  I think the IOC has another good candidate this year too.