The incident (pictured) happened shortly after the Australians had won the second race to draw level in the best-of-five final.

Australia had responded well to level the match before losing the final leg.

The victorious Spanish crew consisted of Tamara Echegoyen Dominguez, Sofia Toro Prieto Puga and Angela Pumariega Menendez.

Finland won the race for bronze 3-1, surviving an appeal from the Russian boat over accusations of a false start.

The Russian skipper, Ekaterina Skudina, raised a protest flag as they crossed the finish line behind the Finns at the end of the fourth race.

Russia believed both boats had been over the starting line early, but after lengthy deliberations the umpires dismissed the appeal and awarded the race win and bronze medal to Finland.

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