Sailors close in on Olympic dream

0 - 0 • Published 26 Mar 2009 10:30

SEVEN sailors from around Helensburgh have been given the chance to impress Olympic selectors as part of an 11-strong Scottish contingent.

The group, which ranges in age from 12 to 22, has been selected for the GBR sailing team and will receive elite training to maximise their potential.

Royal Yachting Association Scotland has announced Luke Patience (Helensburgh), Charlotte Dobson (Rhu), Anna Burnet (Shandon), Lorenzo Chiavarini (Bellanoch Bay), Alistair Gray (Helensburgh), Ross Stanley-White (Helensburgh) and Angus Gray-Stephens (Lochgilphead) are all in contention.

Charlotte, 22, currently living in Edinburgh, only narrowly missed out on selection for the 2008 Games in the Laser Radial Class.

Luke, 22, from Rhu, sails with Welsh crew member Chris Grube, and is among the top 470 sailors in the world.

The intensive training with the UK"s top coaches will take place at venues which include the prestigious Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on the south coast, set to be the sailing venue for the next Games.

The group will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Scotland"s double Olympic gold medal winner Shirley Robertson, who also progressed to the GBR set-up after coming through the RYA Scotland national sailing squad.

RYA Scotland Chief Operating Officer Agnes Barclay said: 'Our most talented young sailors are working incredibly hard to give themselves the best possible chance of being selected for the next Olympics.

'We"ve got two outstanding contenders right now and, who knows, over the next three years, we could have more pushing for a starting place.

'Not everyone in the group will be old enough for selection by 2012 and will be focusing on future Olympics but the talent coming through is an indication that elite Scottish sailing is in good health.'

This is a fact confirmed by the Scottish national sailing squad which has nearly 60 youngsters in its ranks for 2009, despite selection criteria being tougher than ever.

Each sailor"s racing results, along with their attitude and general ability, are taken into consideration.

RYA Scotland High Performance Manager Roy McCubbin said: 'The aim of the Scottish sailing squad is to be a pathway into the GBR team. To have 11 young people selected is very exciting and fantastic for Scottish sailing.

'We"re also very excited by the potential of the Scottish national sailing squad and we"re confident some of our people will soon be knocking on the door of selection for the GBR team and perhaps having a go at sailing for an Olympic gold.'

RYA Scotland focuses on Optimist, Topper, Laser Radial, 420 and windsurfing sailors, who are trained every few weeks throughout the year under the guidance of some of RYA Scotland"s top racing coaches.

Agnes added: 'Training is a top priority for the organisation and absolutely critical for the development of performance sailors in Scotland.

'We"ve assembled some excellent coaches, many of whom have experience of international competition, to make sure our sailors receive the best possible tuition and access to the latest thinking so they have every opportunity to realise their potential.'

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 26 Mar 09

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