Dinghies compete during the 49er medal race at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games sailing event at Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao, an-Olympic co-host city in eastern China’s Shandong Province, Aug. 17, 2008. Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirketerp Ibsen of Denmark won the gold medal. [Song Zhenping/Xinhua]

Jonas Warrer and Kirketerp Martin Ibsen from Denmark won the 49er gold at the Olympic sailing regatta in Qingdao on Sunday.

Thanks to their 1st placing overall after 12 races, the Danes managed to top the podium after 9th fininshes by the first four marks. The choppy water also made their boat capsized before they finished 7th in the medal race, crossing an almost 12-minute margin behind.

Their total 61 points still gained them a minor lead over Spain of 64 points to mark their first Olympics as the 49er champion.

Spanish duo Iker Lizarduy de Martinez and Xabier Fernandez took the silver and Peter Jan Peckolt and Hannes Peckolt from Germany claimed the bronze with 66 points.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)