One Person Dinghy (Firefly), Open

The Firefly is a two-sail dinghy with no spinnaker, which was first designed by Uffa Fox in 1938. It was originally designed as a two-person dinghy but was chosen for the monotype event at the 1948 Olympics, the only time it has been on the Olympic Program. From 1952 the one-person dinghy, or monotype class, would become the Finn class at the Olympics.

Paul Evlstrøm, a 20-year-old Dane, started his Olympic career rather inauspiciously when he did not finish the first race. He placed only sixth in the second race, but improved gradually. He was in only eighth place after five races, but won the final two races to win the gold medal. After six races, the leader was American Ralph Evans, but when he finished only fifth in the final race, he dropped down to the silver medal. The fourth-place finisher, Rickard Sarby, later designed the Finn, which replaced the Firefly at the Olympics, and became the standard class for one-person dinghy.

For Elvstrøm, this was the first appearance of what would be a 40-year Olympic career, finishing only in 1988. He competed in eight Olympics, but is best known for winning the one-person dinghy at four consecutive Olympics – 1948-60.