The women’s Elliot 6m event starts with a round-robin stage, where 12 crews race against each other. The winner of each race gets one point; a half-point is awarded to each crew in the event of a dead heat.
The best eight crews progress to the knockout stage, where crews race each other in a series of races. Each series is won by the first crew to reach three points.
The main difference to fleet racing is that only two boats ever race against each other, so a different set of tactics are required by the crew and helm. Pure boat speed can win you a fleet race but quick thinking and tactical judgment are required to master a match race.
Find out more about the women's Elliot 6m competition at the Olympic Games on the International Olympic Committee website.
