Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson have won New Zealand’s second sailing medal at the Olympics, securing bronze in the mixed multihull (Nacra) event.
The New Zealand team entered the final double-points medal race tied in points with Great Britain, trailing leaders Italy and Argentina. However, Great Britain was disqualified for a false start, ensuring at least a bronze for New Zealand.
In the race, Wilkinson and Dawson aimed to overtake Argentina for the silver medal. Despite their efforts, Argentina sailed cautiously, maintaining their position and finishing second, while New Zealand finished third. The final points tally saw Italy with 31, Argentina with 55, New Zealand with 63, and Great Britain with 69 points.
Micah Wilkinson, 28, from Waikato, and Erica Dawson, 30, from Auckland, have been competing together since 2019. They previously placed 12th at the Tokyo Olympics. Wilkinson shared that their strategy was to enjoy the competition without pressure, and the medal felt like a reward for their hard work. Dawson expressed joy in peaking at the right moment after a long and challenging campaign.
Earlier in the Olympics, Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie won New Zealand’s first sailing medal, a silver in the men’s skiff (49er) event. The achievements of these sailors highlight New Zealand’s strong presence in Olympic sailing.
