For the second time, Belgian sailor Emma Plasschaert (28) became the world champion in the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) in Mussanah in Oman.
Plasschaert narrowly missed out on a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, but she now won gold at the World Championships in Oman.
"This World Cup comes very soon after the Olympics. I did not want to focus on the results. This World Championship was not a goal in itself for me because I was just back in the boat," Plasschaert reacted. "This World Championship is the kick-off of the training towards the Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris/Marseille."
EMMA GOES GOLD!! @EmmaPlasschaert wint het ILCA 6 women wereldkampioenschap! fotocredit: © Sander van der Borch / Lloyd Images / Oman Sail#emmagoesgold #WWSVOlympic #TeamBelgium #sportersbelevenmeer #ICoats #gottifredimaffioliequipped #suzukimarinebe #SsangYongBelux pic.twitter.com/8C9sX3lob2
— WWSV (@WWSVvzw) December 6, 2021
She started the final day of the championship in fifth place, but managed to get into the top three in the first regatta of the day, with a fourth and seventh place. This achievement made Plasschaert world champion, finishing before the Polish Agata Barwinska and Lithuanian Viktorija Andrulyte.
For Plasschaert, this is the second world title in her career, after her gold in 2018. First-time competitor Eline Verstraelen (18) from Belgium finished in 28th place.
