The decision meant that the silver went to Spain's Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez, who won the title in Athens four years ago. The bronze went to Germany's Jan-Peter Peckolt and Hannes Peckolt.

In yesterday's medal race in strong winds and rough conditions, the Danes broke their mast just before racing started. They rushed back to port and borrowed the skiff from the Croatian boat, which failed to qualify for the 10-boat medal races, and sailed to overall victory.

Protests that were rejected Monday included one from the race committee that the Danes had switched boats illegally.

Three protests were filed: One saying that the race started too late, after a 4:30 p.m. deadline, another that the conditions were too rough for racing, and a third that the Danes had illegally changed boats. The first two protests were dismissed Sunday, but when deliberations on the boat change dragged into the early hours today, the jury took a break.

"This is surreal. What a drama," Ibsen told Danish reporters after Sunday's victory was confirmed by a protest jury. "I couldn't have written a greater thriller."