New Zealand's mixed multihull crew shrugged off light winds and drama at the start line for a rival crew to claim another medal for the New Zealand sailing team at the Olympic Games.
Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson claimed New Zealand's second bronze medal of the Olympics and second in the sailing under unusual circumstances, with an early disqualification in the medal race helping their hopes of a top three finish.
The Kiwi duo were in fourth position and level on points with Great Britain heading into final race.
The GB pair, however, jumped the starting gun and then failed to turn back and restart - leading to their disqualification and making the task for the Kiwis much more simple.
Dawson and Wilkinson have been competing together for five years and finished
"There's been a lot of ups and downs in this journey but we always had belief that we could do it and so many people around us did as well, so happy we could pull it out of the bag," said Dawson.
Dawson said the pair have looked up to previous Kiwi sailors and have dreamed about winning an Olympic medal since they were kids.
"We've worked like crazy...to be able to peak for this event and sail our little hearts out right in the key moment was amazing," said Wilkinson.
Erica Dawson and Micah Wilkinson reflect on their five-year journey to claim Olympic bronze in the Nacra mixed multihull in Marseille. Source: NZOC (Source: Supplied)
The only thing stopping the Kiwis would have been if the race was abandoned, something that wasn't out of the question as the wind eased off. The temperature was also a scorching 30 degrees Celsius.
Racing did go ahead as planned, the Kiwis finishing eighth out of the 10 and earning 16 points which was enough for them to win bronze. All the crews crawled over the finish line due to the light wind.
NZ's other sailing medal went to Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie won silver in the 49er.
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