Formula kite rider Vodišek takes silver at Paris Olympics
Koper sailor Toni Vodišek has won silver in the men's formula kite event in Marseille to earn the second medal for Slovenia at the Paris Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old entered the finals in the best position, having carried over two wins from the qualifying races, and needed only one more win to secure gold in the sport's Olympic debut.
However, Valentin Bontus of Austria came from behind to win three races in a row and clinch gold, as Vodišek suffered a crash in the last race to finish last among the four finalists.
Maximilian Maeder of Singapore, a 17-year-old who is ranked first in the world in this class and this year won the world title, won bronze.
"It's all over, the hard work of a lifetime, especially in the last four years, has resulted in second place at the Olympics. It's not been easy, it has taken a lot of effort and sacrifice," Vodišek told Radio Slovenia in his first statement.
"Now we have shown that small Slovenia can compete as an equal with the bigger and stronger countries that were here today," the silver medallist added.
He had a chance to secure gold on 8 August, but it was Bontus, entering the finals from fourth place, who won the only final race that day before the competition was suspended due to light wind.
His silver medal is the fourth Olympic medal for Slovenia in sailing, coming after Vasilij Žbogar won bronze in 2004 and silver in 2008 in the laser class, and silver in 2016 in the Finn class.
