TEAM GB have been disqualified from mixed multi-hull sailing after crossing the start line before the race had started.
Gimson and Burnet, due to marry next month, were in third position going into the Medal Race in the Nacra 17 catamaran.
The duo were judged to have been over the line when the starting horn sounded so, while their competitors continue.
Under race rules, they needed to go back and perform a 360 degree turn before restarting the race.
But, perhaps unaware of the mistake, they continued, leading the race off the start before being told of their disqualification by the umpire’s launch.
It left Burnet in particular utterly distraught, first holding her head in her hands and then being comforted by her fiance.
Their best hope of a medal is for the double points race to be abandoned because of the wind conditions.
Were that to happen, they would be able to re-enter.
Gimson and Burnet needed to finish ahead of New Zealand to be assured of a medal.
And beat Argentina by four places to overhaul the South Americans and repeat their Tokyo silver.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
