The Slovenia Times

Finn class sailor Žbogar wins silver

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Žbogar, who only conceded to British sailor Giles Scott while bronze went to US competitor Caleb Paine, successfully defended today the second place secured in the Rio races leading up to today's final in the elite sailing class.

Žbogar paved his way to a medal with an excellent start, leading after the first two races to be overtaken by Scott later. The reigning World Champion slowly extended his lead in the following regattas, but Žbogar firmly held on to second, clinching silver with a sixth place in the final race.

The flag bearer of the Slovenian team at the opening ceremony in Brazil already had a bronze medal from Athens (2004) and silver from Beijing (2008) in the lighter Laser category. In London he finished sixth in the Finn class competition.

Žbogar only switched from Laser to Finn in 2009, having to put on 20 kilos in a short period to make the transition.

His biggest successes moreover include two European Championship victories (2003 and 2013), and a third place from last year's World Championships.

Žbogar bagged the fourth medal for Slovenia in Rio. Judokas Tina Trstenjak (-63 kg) and Ana Velenšek (-78) won gold and bronze respectively, while veteran kayak slalomist Peter Kauzer won silver.

The two silvers and one bronze medal make Žbogar the third most successful Olympian in the history of independent Slovenia. Rower Iztok Čop won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while skier Tina Maze has two golds and two silvers.

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