Team Blog
A third Olympic gold medal
20 August 2008
It feels good to have a third Olympic gold medal round my neck, but three days before racing began in my Finn class I went down with the mumps. I had never had mumps before and this was a relatively mild form but the doctors told me to take it easy and keep away from the rest of the GB squad.
So on the Wednesday before the Games began I was in bed all day. The next day I went out for a practice sail - not least because I didn't want to let my rivals know I was ill - but I was pretty knackered and struggled.
That is no excuse for my indifferent start to the regatta when I came tenth. In fact, I was in a great position with one leg of the first race to go and then the wind turned inside out on me. It was really frustrating. Like in Athens, which began with a ninth place and a disqualification, I just had to pick myself up and get back in the competition.
I set myself the target of a string of top-five finishes and with wins in the second, fourth and fifth races I was doing well but then I came tenth again, which was quite disappointing. You discount your worst finish, but I had had two bad runs.
But in the frustratingly light wind conditions everyone was being erratic. It was really only Zach Riley, the American, who was staying with me. As we got near the end of the regatta, it was all about keeping an eye on him, staying in the same patch of water, and hanging on to my lead.
On the Saturday, what should have been the medal race was postponed because of the lack of wind. We spent a long time hanging around and had run two legs of the race when the wind completely disappeared and the race was abandoned. I had one hand on the gold medal, but had to stay focused, not switch off and try to go through the same routines.
On Sunday the conditions were completely the opposite. It was pouring with rain and we had to come back in for a while because visibility was so poor. But when we did go back out, the conditions allowed me to control the race and cross the line first.
I'm going to be staying in Qingdao for the rest of the week to cheer these guys on and then I'm looking forward to getting home and having a lot of parties.
Ben
JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
16 July 2008
Before heading off to China I made it down to the Isle of Wight for the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. It was a great opportunity to join in this epic event, and this year didn’t disappoint, with a record entry of boats it was quite a spectacle to see on the water.
For this race, I swapped my Finn for a much larger boat, an Open 60 called Hugo Boss skippered by solo round the world sailor Alex Thomson. We also had a couple of special guests onboard namely F1 star Lewis Hamilton and JPMorgan Asset Management own Campbell Fleming.
These are the formula one of racing yachts; They can be sailed solo or crewed with the ultimate goal for each team being the Vendée Globe, a solo race non-stop around the planet covering over 24,000 miles! Quite a big difference from the Olympic sailing on my Finn. It was an early rise for everyone as we were on the first start of the day at 0600. The start line can get fairly crowded, and pre-start we were caught in an incident with a Farr 45 called Atomic. Following the incident Atomic was dismasted and we lost our bowsprit. It was touch and go as to whether we could carry on the race, but with our guests all raring to go we made the call to continue.
Open 60’s are challenging boats to sail at the best of times, and conditions were tough! It was pretty windy with great waves to surf down round the back of the Island. Lewis was a natural; he seemed totally at home behind the wheel. We were going at speeds of up to 25 knots at times. I helmed around the back of the Island in the surf conditions and I it was fantastic. It was a real rush and I am sure that this is a kind of sailing I would love to do again. Lewis loved his first sailing experience also, he asked to come back again!
‘HUGO BOSS’ was the first Open 60 across the line, and the eighth boat to finish, completing the course in a fast 4 hours, 23 minutes and 29 seconds, a full 4 minutes before nearest Open 60 sailor Mike Golding and ECOVER 3. The whole day had been fantastic and it was a welcome break from the daily routine of my Olympic training. Unfortunately we were deemed to be at fault for the pre start incident and were disqualified from the race!
A week later, I headed up to JPMorgan’s offices in London for a meet everyone before heading off to China. My spare Finn had been shipped in and I thought looked great in the foyer. It was great to meet the everyone and share the project with them all.
Update from Ben
21 May 2008
I'm finished with racing. Well, for the next three months anyway. The European Championships have just ended in Italy for my Finn class and that's it for me and my main rivals until we all meet again in China. So it was nice to lay down another marker before the Olympics by claiming victory off the coast of Tuscany. It was a difficult one to pull off, though. The conditions were changing the whole time and for a number of reasons it was not the best regatta I've sailed. At one stage it even looked as if I might not make the top ten and going into Saturday's medal round I was eight points behind Guillaume Florent, of France, meaning I had to beat him by four places to take the title.
Florent and I have what you might call “form”. In the second race of the Olympics in Athens four years ago, he made an official protest that I had blocked his right of way. I didn't agree, but the judges disqualified me from that race. Fortunately, I did well enough in the subsequent races to win my second Olympic gold medal.
The Frenchman sailed a fantastic series last week, not putting a foot wrong as he built a big lead on the rest of us. In the final race, I decided the best option was to try to put Florent out of contention early by harrying him at the pre-start. It seemed to unsettle him as I pinned him in the left-hand corner and, when the race got under way in shifting winds, he was right at the back.
That job done, I had to ensure that I finished ahead of Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic, the Croat. Fortunately, I found a good position in the middle of the line and came through to win the race by more than a minute. Florent finished eighth to end up third overall.
Earlier in the week, I admit I struggled, sometimes not picking the correct side of the course. Having won the opening race, I started poorly in the second and was down in 45th place before finishing sixteenth. That in itself needn't have been costly as you discount your worst finish, but, then, after race seven, which I won, one of my competitors lodged a protest about a start-line incident and my result was disqualified. Boats always get in each other's way at the start and, generally, people don't complain unless it is a blatant blocking, but the sailor who complained about me was in contention to win himself and perhaps saw it as a way of advancing his own chances. It backfired as the judges decided to disqualify him, as well.
So far, this year has gone well for me. After winning my fifth World Championships title in Australia in January, I joined the British team for a training camp in Majorca that ended with me winning the Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma.
It continued an unbeaten run for me in the Finn since the last Olympics, but that has been helped by having a long break away with the America's Cup. When it comes to the Olympics, it doesn't matter how you have done in the previous few years; it is all down to performance in one regatta and I am not for one second resting easy on my laurels. There are several sailors who will fancy taking my crown in Qingdao. It will help that I have won two test regattas on the Olympic course, though. We are heading out there again in a fortnight for a British training camp and there will be another trip to China in July. The more experience we can all get of the very different conditions in Qingdao the better.
This will be my fourth Olympics and things are obviously very different for me now than when I first competed in Atlanta as a 19-year-old. I was very wide-eyed and inexperienced then, fascinated by the whole Olympic extravaganza taking place around me. Now I am focused solely on the racing, there will be no other distractions.
In fact, I won't even be in Beijing for the Olympic opening ceremony because racing starts the next day. It is a shame as I'm sure the Chinese will put on an excellent show, but my focus has to be on making the best start on the water.
Thank you
31 March 2008
The Finn class is a technical class and so we are constantly trying to improve the boats performance. Over the past few months we have been putting in a lot of time on the water trying to test and develop equipment which we hope will give me and edge in China and this development will continue until the final weeks before the Games. I say 'we', as whilst I sail on my own, there is a large team behind me helping to make it all happen. Coaches Jez Fanstone and David Howlett provide support, both on and off the water, and also give a lot of technical input. Juan Guaray is an Argentinean sail designer who is helping to design some new sails which we hope will make a big difference. I have some great young sparring partners in Giles Scott (Youth World Champion), Ed Greg, Mark Andrews and Andrew Mills. Away from the sailing Jo Grindley and her team at 'Into the Blue' help manage the business side of things and support the great sponsors who are backing me. Steve Gent and Pete Cunningham do a great job helping to plan and support a tailor made fitness programme, aimed at reaching peak fitness for the Games. And, as always, my Parents, who have always been there, help out with planning and logistics. So it's a pretty big effort that goes into one persons campaign and I'd like to say thanks to everyone for their support, regardless of the result they make a huge difference and it literally would not happen without them.
Update from Ben
14 March 2008
It has been a busy month in UK after returning from winter training and competitions in Australia. After three years learning the America's Cup game I am so far delighted with my return to Olympic sailing and the Finn dinghy. It was great to be back out on the water in the Finn sailing against the very best in the world, I have been struck by the increased physicality of the boat and the extra demands on fitness required to be at the top of the game. The two-month training period in Australia was crucial in securing the win at the Sydney International regatta, which led to my Olympic selection by the British Olympic Association. However selection is only one step down the road to Olympic glory and the hard work has only just begun!
After Sydney the team relocated to Melbourne for the Finn World Championships. Conditions in Melbourne were fantastic, very windy and not at all like China, but it was a great physical challenge and it was important to gain another strong result. The competition was very high, with New Zealand’s Dan Slater pushing me every inch of the way. Dan and I were tied for the championship going into the final day’s racing and I needed second or above to take the championships overall. Without a doubt this world championship has been the hardest one to win, it went down to the wire in the final race, but I managed to hold second and keep Dan Slater off the top spot. The strength and depth in the class now is great I am obviously delighted to win a fifth world championship, now looking forward to lots of hard work in the build up to China.
February has seen a pit stop in the UK before I head off for European racing season which runs up until June. Between training and catching up with friends and family, February also saw many media commitments. With such a short amount of time in the UK, this is one of the last times I will be available to speak to people face to face before heading off to China, so I have been involved in various interviews, TV broadcasts and photoshoots, as people prepare their Olympic preview pieces. It is great to see so many people starting to get excited about the Olympics and also about sailing. It can often be a minority sport within the British media, but with a very strong team and as one of the disciplines with the potential for the most medals at the Olympics, sailing becomes increasingly more prominent during the Olympic year. June and July will be spent training in China trying to gain as good an understanding of the very unique conditions as possible. Sailing is a sport where venue familiarisation is crucial.
The venue in China has been the focus of many of the media questions I have faced over the last month. Qingdao is certainly going to be interesting for the sailors and also for the media. The race course for the Finn is a couple of miles out to sea, which make spectator viewing very hard. The weather conditions in China are also going to be very challenging, it is a very light airs venue, with cross tides. In some respects it is a bit of a sailor’s nightmare, but that’s the challenge. The British team have performed very consistently at the last two test events and we will be working hard over the next six months to train out there and learn the conditions as much as possible to prepare ourselves for the event.
Personally, this will be my fourth Olympics. The aura and occasion of the Olympics is still very special, even now, but I am going to China for no other reason to try and win another medal, preferably gold. I’m getting to the age where I’m not sure how many Games I have left in me so I need to make it count!
Until next time….
Selection for Beijing
23 January 2008
It’s a huge honour to be selected to represent my country at the Olympic Games, which will be held in China this August. As in most sports selection is never easy and in sailing we only have one spot per nation so it is very tough. I must mention my rival in Skandia Team GBR for the Olympic sport, Ed Wright, who has been one of the top Finn sailors worldwide in the last few years, if he were sailing for any other country he would probably be going to China this summer and would be a medal contender. The Olympic trail can be a cruel one at times.
After three years learning the America's Cup game I am so far delighted with my return to Olympic sailing and the Finn dinghy. I have been struck by the increased physicality of the boat and the extra demands on fitness required to be at the top of the game. Being down in Australia for over two months and the training in this period has already been crucial to being successful in winning the Sydney International Regatta which led to my Olympic selection by the Royal Yachting Association and the British Olympic Association. However selection is only one step down the road to Olympic glory and the hard work has only just begun! Despite sailing a single-handed boat there are a number of people who support me in my campaign; on the financial side sponsors JPMorgan Asset Management and Henri Lloyd, coaches David Howlett and Jez Fanstone and of course my family and friends.
After the Sydney Regatta I enjoyed a short break in Fiji over Christmas. Some very good friends run a resort on a secluded Island in the middle of nowhere. It was a slightly odd venue to be eating turkey but it was fantastic to be able to recharge the batteries and get ready for the challenges ahead.
Next up are the World Championships at the end of January here in Melbourne. I expect the conditions to be windy, not at all like China, but it will be a great physical challenge and it will be important to gain another strong result. After so long away it will be nice to get back home and catch up with family and friends before starting the European racing season which runs up until June. June and July will be spent training in China trying to gain as good an understanding of the very unique conditions as possible. Sailing is a sport where venue familiarisation is crucial.
The Finn class, as it stands, is really very open. A few of the old stalwarts are back such as 2004 Silver Medallist and current World Champion, Rafa Trujillo from Spain and the Greek Emilio’s Papathanassiou. Of the younger generation the Dane, Joanas Christensen, and the Croatian Ivan Caspevic stand out as the most likely talent to make it amongst the medallists in China. Personally, this will be my fourth Olympics. The aura and occasion of the Olympics is still very special, even now, but I am going to China for no other reason to try and win another medal, preferably Gold. I’m getting to the age where I’m not sure how many Games I have left in me so I need to make it count!
My other sailing commitment still lies with Team Origin, Britain’s sole America's Cup challenge. The sailing world is still awaiting the next court ruling from the US, which should give a good indication as to when the 33rd Americas Cup will be held. Team Origin is an amazing group and I very much hope we can hold them team together until we have a Cup to race for. For the next six months, however, my focus is on China and the Olympic games.
Update from China...
4 August 2007
As predicted it's very hot and humid here in Qingdao. It takes a while to get used to the humidity and with the haze/mist you quite often get the impression you're in a 'steam room'. The wind has also been very light for the last week. On the one hand the lack of wind is frustrating as it makes the days long, waiting for wind, but that’s how it is here and you just have to get on with it. The British team have a great accommodation setup, not far from the marina, so the day is quite simple, a bit like ground hog day! I spend most of the day working on the boat or training on the water and at the end of the day head to the gym to try and build up more weight and fitness!!
Jez Fanstone (coach) and Ed Wright (Fellow British Finn sailor) arrived yesterday, so we will now have a good solid week of training and testing in the build up to the Pre Olympics. This venue is so unique that it is important to step back and look at how best to approach these very special conditions. After being out of the boat for almost two years it's exciting for me to be competing again and I hope to be back up to pace as quickly as possible.
Sailing again at last...
17 July 2007
After completing the 32nd America’s Cup with Emirate’s Team New Zealand, I am now fully focused on my Olympic campaign, and qualification in the Finn class for Beijing 2008. I have come straight back from Valencia to start training in the Finn in the UK.
Whilst in Valencia I have been working hard on my fitness in the gym, now I just need a period of time training in the Finn to regain my boat fitness. This is difficult to replicate in the gym. There is no substitute for time in the water.
I have one month training before the start of the Pre Olympics in China. I appreciate the RYA selection team giving me the single space to race at the event. It was the last event I completed at in the Finn, I hope the result is the same also!
Whilst it was obviously disappointing not to be able to compete at the ISAF World Championships, being with Emirates Team New Zealand has been an invaluable experience, working with them has given me the opportunity of being within a top cup team, sailing with some very experienced sailors and that really increases the speed of learning. I have come away from Valencia the better sailor for it.
Now we are just 12 months away form Beijing, and my aim is to qualify and represent Great Britain for the fourth time. I am lucky to have secured JPMorgan Asset Management as a title sponsor in support of my campaign and I have a fantastic team around me; David Howlett and Jez Fanstone my coaches have continued to work on the Olympic campaign whilst I have been away
I am still passionate about Olympic sailing and the America’s Cup. The sport is so much more professional now than when I started ten years ago. Qingdao will be a very interesting venue; the conditions are generally light and testing. I would like to combine Olympic sailing with a continued involvement in the America’s Cup. At the moment I am looking at all the options and will make a decision in the coming months to what that involvement will be.
There are certainly some exciting times ahead.....