Pre-Olympics: Skipper overboard but hangs on to take the Gold medal

4:18 AM Sat 13 Aug 2011 GMT

'Weymouth and Portland Regatta WMR Medal presentation' ISAF Connect to sailing

The Women's Match Racing event Gold medal races at the Pre-Olympic Weymouth and Portland International Regatta ended in a thrilling five race event between Finland's Silja Lehtinen, Silja Kanerva, and Mikaela Wulff and the Russian team Ekaterina Skudina, Elena Oblova, and Elena Siuzeva .

With two races each the fifth and final race was a nail biter.

The boats rounded the final mark side by side, Russia got a penalty on the final run then Lehtinen fell overboard. She was quickly recovered with Russia still to complete their penalty.

Lehtinen and team crossed the line seconds ahead, taking the gold medal. Bronze was won by Sally Barkow (USA) who defeated Claire Leroy (FRA) 3-0.

The next major WMR Olympic event is the qualifying event in Perth. The 12 boat supplied fleet of Elliott 6 metres will be packed up and shipped to Perth.

As training continues the sailor's focus will move downunder as several crews head to New Zealand to train together before heading to Perth for the event in December.

View an interview with the Finnish team here.