Once more into the breach

Shirley Robertson updates us on her Yngling campaign so far this season

It’s been two years since I stood on the Podium in Athens and It feels fantastic to be back in the throws of another Olympic campaign. I now have two (that was a surprise) beautiful healthy sleeping babies, a supergranny, a fantastic crew, great sponsors and a very understanding husband. Yes I’m very much up and running again and last Friday we all moved to Palma for what will I hope be a productive winters training.

Whilst I was the size of a house this summer my crew Annie Lush and Lucy Macgregor sailed hard in both the Yngling and the Etchells with a selection of helms. They ended their summer with an outstanding silver medal from the Olympic venue Qingdao. Its now me who is having to quickly get back up to speed, and into shape.

Many doubted I’d ever be back in a Yngling when they heard I was expecting twins, and it made our victory at our first competition in October at the International Sail for Gold regatta all the sweeter. Rusty, yes of course I was, I hadn’t raced since the Games but the girls kept me right and it slowly came flooding back. Early days I know but a good start to a long campaign towards hopefully selection next summer and Olympic success.

We’re here for six months and I’m grateful to finally be in a routine, everyday I feel fitter, fresher, and sharper in the boat and still manage to spend time with the family. Andy Beadsworth who was part of my coaching team for 2004 is back helping us and it’s a huge benefit to have his input again, we will also use other coaches during the winter, I’m excited by having new input and also to be pursuing some of the technical advances I wanted to try for 2004 but like all Olympic campaigns ran out of time.