Meet the Sailing Team GB: Going for 2024 Olympic Gold
Exclusive Interview with 2024 Olympic Sailing Team GB: Georgie Corlett-Pitt meets team thats going for gold! British Sailors: The Leading Nation The 10 sailors so far selected to represent Great Britain at this summer’s Olympics were the first athletes of any sport to be announced by Team GB; filling the spots in seven of the […]
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Exclusive Interview with 2024 Olympic Sailing Team GB: Georgie Corlett-Pitt meets team thats going for gold!
British Sailors: The Leading Nation
The 10 sailors so far selected to represent Great Britain at this summer’s Olympics were the first athletes of any sport to be announced by Team GB; filling the spots in seven of the ten Sailing classes. The Sailing Team GB is a mix of fresh talent and experienced Olympians. Tokyo 2020 Nacra 17 silver medallists John Gimson and Anna Burnet, and windsurfing bronze medallist Emma Wilson lead the charge, along with two-times Olympian 49erFX crew Saskia Tidey, hoping it’ll be third-time lucky with new helm Freya Black; the rest make their Olympic debuts.
The ambition, according to Mark Robinson, RYA Performance Director, is to win three to five medals of any colour, and, above all, maintain Britain’s position – held for five of the last six Games – as top sailing nation. “That means more gold medals,” he says. “That will be our biggest challenge – can we be top nation? – particularly against the French who are throwing everything at it.”
GB Vs France
Overcoming the home nation in Marseille will be no mean feat, given the French team’s head-start in the new board classes (several sailors were already semi-pro), the hefty funding injection they’ve received, and their exclusive access to a new state of the art facility within the Olympic Marina, out of bounds to foreign teams.
Mark explains: “It’s always been a question of trajectory – can we catch the French for the gold medals prior to the Games? In last summer’s Test Event, France and Britain won five medals each – they took four gold, one silver; we took four silver, one bronze. It’s very similar to our position in the Tokyo Test Event; we had no gold medals in 2019 and then converted upwards to win three gold, one silver and one bronze at the Games. So all of our focus now is on converting the Test Event bronze and silvers into gold.”
Of the sailors selected so far, Mark says all have shown medal potential based on results at key international events. “Selecting early sharpens the focus and allows us to focus resources on the one crew within each class,” he continues.
The initial decision is made by the RYA’s Olympic Selection Committee – which includes multiple past Olympians – before being confirmed by the British Olympic Association.
For those already selected, the next few months are about carefully managing performance in order to peak at the Games in July. The challenge is both physical and mental. The board classes in particular have brought an increased physicality to the Games, adding a greater physiological dimension. There’s strong temptation to set goals around upcoming Worlds and Europeans – which Mark admits can help to boost confidence and focus, and aid equipment development – but it’s a careful balance of risk vs reward. “Ultimately,” he says, “it’s the Games that really matter”.
James Peters, Sailing Team GB: 49er helm
Pathway: Optimist, RS Feva, 29er, RS200, 49er (training partner for 2016 Olympics)
Recent highlights: 2022 – European bronze, 2023 – Worlds 6th
When did the Olympics become your goal?
In 2008, when I won the Youth Worlds and 29er Europeans – that gave me the belief.
What has got you this far?
My competitive instinct to beat my sister from a young age pushed me a long way!
What’s your super-power?
I love the downwind legs, especially when it’s gusty and patchy – I like to think I can find the wind before the competition.
Other than 2024 selection, what has been your proudest moment?
Winning the 49ers at the Princess Sofia Regatta with Fynn in 2017, finally, after so many memories of success and disappointments.
What do you love most about your class?
The 49er requires both helm and crew to have superb feel for the boat. We often sail swapped over in training. You can see the best sailors in the class are nearly as good this way round.
What will it take to win 49er gold?
Being a well-rounded sailor. Marseille could bring a strong Mistral wind, or a light steady onshore gradient – we must be ready for anything!
Fynn Sterritt, Sailing Team GB: 49er crew
Pathway: Topper, 420, 49er
Recent highlights: 2022 – European bronze, 2023 – Worlds 6th
When did the Olympics become your goal?
From a very early stage of sailing Toppers in the Scottish Highlands, the Olympic dream had me hooked. 49ers were always the goal, so after a break from sailing for university, I moved to Portland to sail full-time.
What has got you this far?
One of my very first coaches, when asked who he thought would go to the Olympics, pointed at me. This has stuck with me ever since – in many cases it’s the belief those around you instil in you which lays the foundations for success. My parents played a huge part in that too.
First thing you did when you found out you had been selected?
I rang James! We have been together as a team for so long, through so many ups and downs, it felt right to appreciate it together.
What’s your super-power?
Not letting my emotions get the better of me. It is also my kryptonite at times! Knowing when to lean into your emotions is super important, especially in a two-person boat.
Biggest rivals?
There will be no previous 49er Olympic medallists in Marseille, which makes the field pretty open. However, the three-times world champions from the Netherlands will certainly go in as one of the favourites.
What do you love most about your class?
The 49er class used to be considered high speed, however the rapid development of foiling makes us look pretty slow at times these days! But no matter how good you think you are, the boat is always a handful in challenging conditions.
John Gimson, Sailing Team GB: Nacra 17 helm
Pathway: National 12, 29er, 420, 470, Tornado, various pro one-design keelboats, Star, America’s Cup AC45, Nacra 17 (silver, Tokyo Olympics)
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds silver, European gold, Test Event bronze
What has got you this far?
Perseverance, hard work – and Anna Burnet!
This is your second Olympics. What’s different?
During covid we had no access to the venue in 2020 or 2021; this time we are expecting to spend a lot more time in venue, and we have more regattas too.
What lessons will you be taking forwards?
In Tokyo we learnt to expect the unexpected, nothing ever quite goes exactly to plan so we need to be ready for anything.
What do you love most about the Nacra 17?
This Olympic cycle the addition of the rudder delta system has enabled foiling upwind and unlocked more modes, it takes so much coordination between Anna and I to keep the boat on the polars. It is by far the hardest boat I have ever sailed in terms of sailing it well, so it is very easy to get it wrong, but so rewarding when you get the set-up, crew work, trimming and steering in harmony.
What will it take to win at Paris 2024?
Hard work, doing the details well, following the plan. And as always in sailing, a little bit of luck!
Anna Burnet, Sailing Team GB: Nacra 17 crew
Pathway: Optimist, 420, 470, 49erFX, Nacra 17 (silver, Tokyo Olympics)
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds silver, European gold, Test Event bronze
What has got you this far?
Perseverance, my parents’ support – and teaming up with John!
How has the experience differed this time around vs the run-up to Tokyo?
We didn’t see our competitors much in the year before Tokyo due to Covid. Also, we haven’t had such tight British selection trials this time round so we’ve had a longer time to focus solely on the end goal.
What lessons will you be taking forwards from Tokyo?
It’s hard to control the nerves on day one, but I’ll be expecting it this time round so hopefully it’ll be easier to come out firing.
Biggest rivals?
The Italians, and then about five other nations are very dangerous on a good week.
What do you love most about your class?
It’s incredibly hard to sail the Nacra well, so it’s hugely rewarding when you get it right.
Emma Wilson, Sailing Team GB: iQFOil windsurfer
Pathway: Techno 293, RS:X (bronze, Tokyo Olympics)
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds bronze, Test Event silver
When did the Olympics become your goal?
When I was younger, I played every sport going. Then I went to some international windsurfing competitions and just couldn’t stop thinking about trying to win Olympic gold.
What has got you this far?
Stubborn determination! If someone says I can’t do something, I want to do it even more.
How has the experience differed this time around vs Tokyo?
I changed classes after Tokyo [the RS:X was replaced by the iQFOil], so at the start of this cycle I was on this whirlwind of trying to learn as much as I could in a rush. Now I’m selected, it’s quite nice to have the focus of Paris. I am definitely more of a favourite this time, which is a bit different too, as I don’t think anyone expected anything from me in Tokyo.
What did you learn from the last Games?
Enjoy the experience! It was the best two weeks of my life, so to get that opportunity again, I just really want to embrace it.
Biggest rivals?
About 10 girls could win it; Israel, France, Spain, Norway, Holland are all pretty high contenders.
What do you love most about your class?
How fast it is and how it just keeps developing every day. A year ago, no-one could foil tack and now we are doing it in races, so I just love that side of it.
What will it take to win at Paris 2024?
Being fast, smart and having a smile!
Freya Black, Sailing Team GB: 49erFX helm
Pathway: Optimist, RS Feva, 29ers, 470, 49erFX
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds 5th, Test Event 7th
What has got you this far?
Never settling for anything but winning. I remember winning the 29er Ladies European title [2018] – I was so happy but annoyed that we hadn’t won the overall title too!
Proudest moment in sailing so far?
Our first 49erFX Worlds in Canada in 2022, where we finished ninth. It was a pretty hard summer trying to learn the boat and how we work together [the pair teamed up in late 2021], and it felt like everything came together and you could really see the potential in our team.
What did you do when you found out you had been selected?
It was a pretty surreal feeling, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself! I had a big grin on my face and went for a champagne dinner with my parents to celebrate.
What will it take to win gold?
Consistency. The team that is well-rounded and keeps the scores on the board low will come out on top.
Saskia Tidey, Sailing Team GB: 49er FX crew
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds 5th, Test Event 7th
Pathway: Laser Radial, 49er FX (12th at Rio Olympics sailing for IRL; switched to GBR for Tokyo where she finished 6th with Charlotte Dobson)
What’s your super-power?
Performing under pressure, delivering what we practice no matter what curve balls get thrown at us.
How has the experience differed from the last Games?
This cycle can only be described as a sprint! Tokyo was a marathon of five years in the making. Covid was a very tough time for everyone and certainly affected performance expectations all over the world. Paris will be Freya’s and my first Games together. We have had to put in some serious hours to slot into the top 10 in the world within 12 months of starting together.
What lessons will you take forwards?
Tokyo was a wild venue for weather. A lot like Marseille, you can be given all conditions in one week of racing. There are no short cuts, so every skill needs refining.
What’s next?
Our Worlds in March is key. For our team it has always been the goal to strike late. We need all the training and racing we can get to make mistakes and learn from them.
Biggest rivals?
The 49erFX fleet has a very tight top 10, with a lot of shuffling over the last 12 months. The more experienced teams have been relatively consistent, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, but no-one is unbeatable.
Micky Beckett, Sailing Team GB: ILCA 7
Pathway: Learnt in a boat my dad built, Topper, Laser Radial (ILCA 6) until age 17, then ILCA 7
Recent highlights: 2021 – European gold, 2023 – Worlds silver, Test Event silver
When did the Olympics become your goal?
Realistically about five years ago, when I thought there was an outside chance I could qualify for the Tokyo Games. I didn’t win the trials [finished second], but the goal remained.
Proudest sailing moment to date?
Being ranked world number one earlier this year. I still remember getting my first world ranking over 10 years ago – I was outside the top 200.
What did you do when you found out you had been selected?
I was sat in Amsterdam airport when I got the call. I was travelling alone, so there was nothing to really say to anyone… I just looked around and smiled, it’s a cool feeling.
Biggest rivals?
Take your pick. The fleet at the moment has so many previous Olympic and World medallists in it, I wouldn’t recommend placing any big bets!
Best thing about your class?
It’s tough and there’s nowhere to hide. The boats are supplied at each major event, so if your technique, decisions, fitness or any other part of your game isn’t up to it the fleet will just spit you out in no time.
What will it take to win gold?
Good boat speed, consistent starts, staying calm.
Sam Sills, Sailing Team GB: Men’s iQFOiL
Pathway: Techno 293, RS:X for 2016 and 2020 cycles, then iQFOil (after a break to progress his a career as a naval architect)
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds 5th, Test Event 7th
How did you feel when you found out you had been selected?
It was a big relief, it’s pretty amazing. It was probably a 20 year journey to get there.
What has got you this far?
Not being afraid of commitment and sacrifice, even when it’s difficult – like missing Christmas with family three years in a row.
Proudest moment?
Qualifying the nation for Paris 2024 at the Olympic Test event, despite being in a road traffic accident two weeks before.
Ellie Aldridge, Sailing Team GB: Women’s Formula Kite
Pathway: Dinghies including 49erFX until 2018, then switched to kite-foiling
Recent highlights: 2023 – Worlds silver, European gold, Test Event silver
What has got you this far?
I wouldn’t be going to the Olympics without the rest of the girls pushing me [Lily Young and Katie Dabson finished immediately behind her at the world championship qualifying event]. The key to our success has been our drive as a group. All of the girls started kite foiling at the same time, we all learned together and went through everything together.
How did it feel to be selected?
Incredible! It has given me a lot of confidence.
More info
Visit the official Team GB website for more info on the most successful team.
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