Winning an Olympic medal is special, but for Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon, that sensation was amplified tenfold when they returned to shore and watched both their partners propose in unison.
After finishing sixth in the 49erFX Medal Race, Steyaert and Picon clinched a bronze medal and leaped into the sea to celebrate in front of a raucous home crowd.
Few predicted the French pair would be in contention at the top of the standings and yet they delivered throughout the regatta, bringing Steyaert her first ever Olympic medal.
Picon had already tasted Olympic glory, taking windsurfing gold in Rio and silver in Tokyo, but her switch to the Women’s Skiff culminated in her completing the medal set.
When the sailors returned to shore, the festivities continued as they were serenaded by French fans chanting “La Marseillaise”, but events took an unexpected turn when Steyaert and Picon approached their families on the beach.
“At the beginning of the day our boyfriends said they would propose to us if we won gold or silver,” said Steyaert. “So after the Medal Race I said: ‘OK, we got bronze, are we not going to get engaged?’
“But when we got to the beach our boyfriends were there and they got down on one knee, and we said: ‘Yes!’”
In the space of 20 minutes, the French crew had received two very different types of jewellery.
“Three years ago, our partners didn’t think we could make it, so it was an amazing moment on the beach. We can be proud of what we did this week,” said Picon.
“The emotion that we felt when we crossed the line and knew we’d won a medal, there’s nothing like it.”
Nicknamed ‘Team Mama’ by their teammates, Steyaert and Picon are both parents and have lately begun thinking about life away from sailing.
In fact, Steyaert has announced her retirement and will hang up her sail to return to teaching primary school children in the Autumn. For Picon the future is unclear, but the importance of family remains unwavering.
“It’s not an easy one for sure, getting to the Olympics,” said Picon. “We need a lot of support from our family and friends.
“For 15 days a month we are not at home so it’s tough for our partners, but it’s so amazing to share this moment with our families here in Marseille.”
Incredibly, the French crew were not the only 49erFX medallists to get engaged in the last few weeks.
Before beginning her Olympic journey, Odile van Aanholt went for dinner in Amsterdam with her partner and fellow skiff sailor Bart Lambriex. Towards the end of the meal Van Aanholt found a ring in her dessert and watched on as Lambriex got down on one knee to propose.
After Van Aanholt duly said: ‘Yes’, the newly engaged pair turned their attentions to Paris 2024 where they were both in the running for gold.
However, hopes of a double podium were not to be. While Van Aanholt and Annette Duetz sailed impeccably to pick up a gold medal in the 49erFX, Lambriex and crewmate Floris van de Werken where not able to replicate the same on the men’s side, finishing sixth overall.
“It was a dream of Bart and mine, and also both teams, to get on the podium together,” Van Aanholt said. “Annette and I have shared a lot these past few years, but we’ve definitely shared a lot with Bart and Floris as well, learned a lot from each other a spent a lot of our lives together.
“We know how much potential the boys have and how much they’ve shown, so it’s definitely a bit heartbreaking to not see them reach their potential this week. We’re still extremely proud of them and they’re very happy for us.”
While Steyaert and Picon spent the week focusing entirely upon their own performance, Van Aanholt and Lambriex were also eagerly watching their partners, which at times was a challenge. But through it all, Van Aanholt can still find the beauty amongst the heartbreak.
“There were a lot of emotions in the household this week, but it’s also what makes the sport beautiful,” Van Aanholt said.
“We’ve had a lot of talks and we’ve had a lot of world championships together, but you definitely feel like the Olympics is different. Every emotion is heightened, whether it’s positive or negative, and I don’t think it was the easiest week to have a significant other also trying to reach their goals, but I’m very grateful we got to do it together.”
Written by Andy Rice
