Team USA secured a bronze medal in the men's skiff medal race on Friday, following a delay in the initial final due to adverse weather conditions. The race, originally scheduled for Thursday, encountered a setback as the wind dissipated when the boats were nearing the end of the first lap.
With the officials signaling the abandonment of the race by waving the blue and white checkered flag, the Uruguayan boat helmed by Hernan Umpierre and Fernando Diz was leading at the time of interruption.
The medal race holds significant weight as it is valued at double points, with teams carrying forward their accumulated points into this crucial race. The combined scores from the previous rounds and the medal race determine the overall standings, with the team amassing the lowest points emerging victorious. Notably, the race on Friday presented a fresh start for all participating boats, rendering the positions at the time of the race suspension inconsequential.
In the end, Spain clinched the gold medal, while New Zealand secured the silver. Team USA, represented by Ian Barrows and Hans Henken, showcased a commendable performance to claim the bronze medal in the fiercely contested men's skiff event.