Roble/Shea finish 10th at Paris 2024 Olympics!!
Editorial by Vicki Clayton - It was with great pleasure I woke up at 5am to watch two fierce female competitors sail in the Medal Race at the Olympic games this morning (8/2/24). The wind in Marseille finally got it's act together and I watched as Stephanie Roble & Maggie Shea, two unlikely sailing Olympians from the midwest, had yet another winning start. Midline, slightly to port, with room to bear off to leeward and go fast. They were the first to tack off the starboard for the port layline and I watched as they went their own way with all the confidence of an experienced crew sailing in their 2nd Olympics. 5th at the the windward mark to the Netherlands (NED), who were lined up for gold, followed by Norway, Sweden and Brazil. Steph and Maggie had their BEST RUN of the event catching all but the Netherlands down the course and splitting at the gate in 2nd place. Roble/Shea headed out course right. The Netherlands had to duck USA (port/starboard) in the middle of the course, but USA was forced to give way to NED at the mark maintaining their second. Roble/Shea and the Netherlands popped their spinnakers and took off down the course to the finish. They had sailed their best race of the event and done so beautifully.
Unfortunately, the committee boat, a large catamaran which had been the finish up until today, was set up just to the leeward side of the gate just seemingly slighly between the gate and the dogleg finish line, was mistaken by both teams (USA & NED), camera crew, and commentators, for the finish line. Sweden sailed through the true line triumphantly to win the race. NED was able to recover crossing the line in 3rd and ultimately securing the gold, though no one thought that was the case until a thorough review off the score card could take place. Sweden with their race win took the silver and France fell to Bronze with a 12th place finish in the race.
I am both confused and simultaneously heartbroken, for Steph and Maggie, for their families, and all their supporters. It's taken me hours to figure out what to write and maybe I should have just left it as I posted this morning with only the final results, but when something dramatic happens there are always questions, blame, guilt, etc. and backseat drivers always know best. All of that is simply not productive. Racing is done. There are no take backs or do overs. We must remember these ten 49er FX crews are the BEST in the world and it is an amazing feat just to get to the Olympics, let alone 2, and even more so into the Medal Race. The confusion at the end is not what matters most, but all the hard work, athleticism, skill, and exceptional character Steph & Maggie have displayed representing Team USA, LBYC, CYC, their friends, families and more throughout the years. I, as I'm sure you all are, am so VERY PROUD of them for all they have accomplished. Thank you, Steph & Maggie, for sharing your journey with us, it has been a pleasure!
Full Olympic results | PHOTO GALLERY
Medal Race UPDATE - 8/1/2024 - Vicki Clayton
After two failed attempts at the Men's 49er Medal Race on the Marseille course, both abandoned for lack of wind at the first gate, all racing has been postponed until tomorrow. Times have not yet been posted for the rescheduled Medal Race tomorrow.
Race Day 4 - 7/31/2024 - Nancy Roble in Marseille
Nancy shared a video of team Roble/Shea sailing in after the end of the Opening Series (Click play button to watch). "It's so fun watching them come in! The boats come by one by one so every country has a chance to cheer for their sailors."
Race Day 4 - 7/31/2024 - Vicki Clayton
ROBLE/SHEA ADVANCE TO MEDAL RACE! After an 8th place finish in Race 10, Steph & Maggie had moved up from 12 to 11 place, just one out of the Medal Race with two more races to be sailed. They won the start of Race 11 and were second at the windward mark to Sweden. 3rd after the first run, Italy and Sweden split the gates at the bottom and Sweden got out to a good lead on the 2nd beat with close racing from 3-10. Steph & Maggie rounded 6th and split with the leaders on the run. Finishing Race 11 in 7th. That 7th moved them into 10th place with the final race of the series to be sailed. A 9th place finish in the final race was enough to hold onto that 10th place overall to qualify for the Medal Race!
A review of the score sheet shows a close fleet experiencing highs and lows across the board with multiple race winners not making the Medal Race. The French are currently in the lead but by just 1 point over the Netherlands. Only 4 points separate 7th and 10 place. Scores in the the Medal Race count for double the points (1st = 2pts, 2nd = 4pts, 3rd = 6pts, etc) and can not be thrown out. The Medal Race will air on Peacock and nbcolympics.com and is currently scheduled for an 8:43am start Central Time tomorrow (8/1).
Roble/Shea finishes for the Opening Series: 7, 11, 10, 3, 9, 13, 15, 13, (17), 8, 7, 9
Total Points: 122
Net Points: 107
Race Day 3 - 7/30/2024 - Vicki Clayton
The breeze finally made an appearance in Marseille for today's racing that started at noon local time. It was a tough day on the course for team Roble/Shea putting up scores of 15, 13, 17 for the three races of the day. Steph and Maggie are now in 12th place with 3 more races to go. The top 10 after tomorrow's Opening Series concludes go on to the Medal Race. Tomorrow is a new day, let's go Steph & Maggie.
Race Day 2 - 7/29/2024 - Nancy Roble in Marseille
We met the Barrows/Henken (49er) group today and we all cheered both USA boats as they came in from racing and sailed along the breakwater. Pictured below: Team USA 49er & 49er FX group show their team spirit.
Race Day 2 - 7/29/2024 - Vicki Clayton
After being postponed on shore the fleet took to the water approx 6:45am Beulah time. Two general recalls, and one postponed Black Flag start later, the fleet finally got off under the Black Flag in about 8-9 knots of breeze. Steph and Maggie won the port end of the line and were second at the first mark to Italy. Italy got out to a big lead by the second windward mark rounding. Roble/Shea fell back one to finish 3rd in Race 4, the first of the day. 5 boats were over early and disqualified (scored BFD) under the Black Flag.
With winds dropping to 6-7 and even less at the leeward end they started race 2 of the day (Race 5 on the score sheet). After another strong start Roble/Shea fell back on the downwind and finished 9th. The third race of the day saw winds drop even further with the course shortened on Leg 2 and boats practically drifting over the finish line. Steph and Maggie recovered from a tough start to finish 14 (a penalty and retirement changed 14 to 13) which is their current throw out for the series.
After all the racing of the day Roble/Shea moved up two spots from 8th to 6th place. Check back for updates from Marseille later today. Updated PHOTO GALLERY
Race Day 1 - 7/28/2024 - Nancy Roble in Marseille
After a tricky, light air day Roble/Shea is in 8th place with 3 races completed. Tomorrow's forecast looks light again and then the breeze picks up a bit for the rest of the week. On shore it was hot, dusty, and hot. A big screen tv was showing tracking but it was hard to see in the sun (and there's lots of sun) so we found a shady spot and watched tracking on our phones. There is a spot where we can see the boats leave and come back to shore and we were there waving the American flag and cheering when Steph and Maggie came in! Also caught up with the Schmidt's, Klumb's and Davenport's! View PHOTO GALLERY
Race Day 1 Results UPDATE 9:02am - Vicki Clayton
Scores were updated for Races 2 & 3 (without any DSQ's) Steph & Maggie now sit in 8th with finishes of 7, 11 & 10.
Race Day 1 Results - Vicki Clayton
Steph & Maggie are sitting in 4th after Race Day 1 with finishes of 7, 11 & 3. Throw outs start after race 2. Unfortunately was no live coverage of the course on Peacock, but there were ~20 dedicated fans that showed up at the LBYC for the Watch Party that followed live tracking (for what it was) on the TV at the club. Hopefully, the FX course will get coverage when they are on a near shore course in the following days.
Photos from World Sailing (sailing.org).
Schedule Change for Races 1-3 on Sunday 7/28 - Nancy Roble
World Sailing (sailing.org) revised tomorrow's schedule. The 49er FX's will be racing starting at 12:30pm, which is 5:30am in Wisconsin. Go Team USA!
Opening Ceremony and Paris Train System Attack - 7/26/2024 - Nancy Roble
Team USA sailors and staff arrived safely in Paris earlier today. Steph Roble and Maggie Shea opted not to make the trip because of their early sailing schedule so you won't see them on the USA boat during the Opening Ceremony. We are meeting up with other Roble/Shea supporters to watch the Opening Ceremony on a big screen at Club Paris 2024 in Marseille this evening. Go Team USA!!