Tesch wins first sailing gold

Liesl Tesch of Woy Woy and her sailing partner Daniel Fitzgibbon won Australia its first paralympic sailing gold medal after they blitzed the Skud 18 field at the Paralympic Sailing Regatta on Portland Harbour.

In bright sunshine and winds up to 15 knots, the Australian duo revelled in the stronger breeze during the opening race of the day, leading at every mark to record their fourth victory of the 11-race series.

"After the first race, I'm thinking we've won, we've done it, we've got gold," said Tesch.

"But at the same time it's like we've still got another race to go and we could get protested on."

In the second race, the Italian crew shot off the starting line and led all the way to the finish line while the Aussies trailed behind to cross second and consolidate gold with an overall lead of six points.

'We just positioned ourselves really well all day and kept the boat sailing like we have all week," said Fitzgibbon.

"We've been working for this moment for four years, I'm thrilled," he said.

The win is extra special for Tesch, who had an emotional week after her mum passed away on the first day of competition.

"Not many people get up on the morning of their gold medal race and start organising a memorial service for their mother but what a beautiful way to celebrate my mum's life but to win gold on a beautiful sunny day at the Paralympic Games," she said.

Tesch made her Paralympic debut in wheelchair basketball at the 1992 Barcelona Games before going on to win silver at Sydney and Athens and bronze in Beijing.

"I've been waiting for it my whole life," said Tesch.

"The medals will all come together in a big chunky mess but the gold one will be shiny while the rest are a bit grubby."

In June last year, Fitzgibbon said he nearly quit the sport after poor results at the World Championships at Portland Harbour.

"We took a big gamble getting Liesl over from basketball and she had to learn a hell of a lot for these Paralympics but she's picked it all up really quickly," said Fitzgibbon.

"What I saw in Liesl was a natural sports person.

"She was strong, motivated and keen.

"She brings things to the boat that I lack, so we really do balance each other out there," said Fitzgibbon.

Media Release, 5 Sep 2012

Jacqueline Chartres, Australian Paralympic Committee