Olympic round up: Dutch complete open water double

DutchNews, August 16, 2016

Marit Bouwmeester celebrates her sailing gold. Photo: Wieringa Photography

 Swimmer Ferry Weertman has won gold for the Netherlands in the 10 kilometre open water race on the 10th day of the games. 

On Monday, Sharon van Rouwendaal won the women’s open water title.  Weertman, who won silver at the world championships last year, had been considered a serious medal contender and took the title in a photo finish. 

Meanwhile, sailor Marit Bouwmeester has become the first Dutch person to win a gold medal in a sailing event in 80 years, taking the gold tally to eight. 

Bouwmeester took the top prize in the laser radial class, after winning the silver medal in London in 2012. Silver went to Annalise Murphy of Ireland and bronze to Danish sailor Anne-Marie Rindom. The laser radial is a single-handed dinghy with a short mast. 

In other events,  Elis Ligtlee, the surprise winner of the gold medal in the keiren cycling race, has qualified for the semi-finals of the indoor sprint. And runner Susan Kuijken won a place in the final of the 5,000m with a seasonal best time of 15.19.96. 

Ten of the 13 Dutch medals so far these games have been won by women. The Netherlands is currently lying ninth in the medals table.