Ellie Aldridge clinches GOLD in dramatic women’s kite final – as sailing glory gives Team GB 13th gold of Paris Olympics

Ellie Aldridge has seized victory in a dramatic women’s kite final to secure Team GB‘s 13th gold medal of the Paris Olympics.

The Brit was given a stern test in Marseille as numerous riders, including Lauriane Nolot, ran her extremely close.

Her French rival seemed to have gained an early advantage at the start of the final this afternoon, taking a different line to Aldridge.

But the 27-year-old was unfazed and soon took a sizeable lead on the first down-wind leg in front of the scenic shoreline in the French seaside city as Nolot fell at the very first mark.

By the time the participants made it to the final down-wind leg, Aldridge had earned a vast advantage as the chaos unfolded between her rivals behind her. 

Ellie Aldridge has seized victory after a dramatic women’s kite final in Marseille

After the event, Aldridge celebrated her glorious achievement wildly, leaping into the Mediterranean water which she had conquered just moments earlier

Aldridge put in an assured performance to secure Team GB’s 13th gold of the Paris Olympics

And the Team GB star managed to hold her nerve and grab her country’s first gold in the sailing of the Olympics.

She also became the first ever Olympic champion in the kite event after it made its Games bow this year. 

After the event, Aldridge celebrated her glorious achievement wildly, leaping into the Mediterranean water which she had conquered just moments earlier. 

Meanwhile, her legion of fans on the coastline waved Union flags and signs bearing her name, having witnessed a dramatic sailing final. 

France’s Nolot, as well as the USA and Netherlands, posed problems for Aldridge throughout the contest but were not able to do enough to push the Brit all the way to the finish line.

In the aftermath of the race, BBC’s Niall Myant said: ‘Ellie Aldridge won that race – that was not gifted to her. 

‘She was tenacious at that first windward mark rounding.

‘She is celebrating in style. All of this being played out just in front of the beach here in Marseille.

‘Everybody up close to the action and what a performance she put on for everyone.’

The Brit was given a stern test in Marseille as numerous riders, including Lauriane Nolot, ran her extremely close

Meanwhile, her legion of fans on the coastline waved Union flags and signs bearing her name, having witnessed a dramatic sailing final

The 27-year-old had remained unfazed and soon took a sizeable lead on the first down-wind leg in front of the scenic shoreline in the French seaside city

Shirley Robertson, who won two Olympic sailing golds, said: ‘It was flawless, wasn’t it. What brilliant execution.

‘In 2018, the British Sailing Federation started a scheme entitled Kite to Gold and I bet they’re glad they did.

‘They have produced an Olympic champion at the first time of asking.’