Team GBR update

In part one of this week's series Peter Bentley assesses the season ahead for the British Olympic squad

Where it all begins

That broad base is however starting to pay dividends. In early 2001 some 40 or so sailors were already supported by the RYA Development Squad and the aim according to Olympic Manager, Stephen Park (Sparky) was "to get as many of those as possible into the World Class Performance (WCP) squad by the end of last year." The jump is an important one. Sailors in the Development Squad (so called D-card team members) receive funding and support for their sailing; gaining an A- B- or C-card and the move into the WCP squad that comes with it brings with it the prospect of a fully funded programme including living expenses. The major difference between A- B- and C-card status comes in the exact amount of support provided.

WCP sailors also get full access to the RYA's host of support services, including dedicated coaches, sports science, psychology, physiology, medical facilities and a host of other often forgotten but none-the-less vital facilities.

The move to WCP squad is not by any means easy, requiring as it does a top ten placing at a recognised world championship or a top three finish at a Europeans. As anyone who has ever sailed in any of the Olympic classes will tell you, this is by no means a simple task, even in post-Olympic year. The fact that over 20 sailors made the jump in 2001 only serves to confirm the depth of talent hovering just below the top stars.

That's not to say 2002 will be any easier for the 42 sailors now in the elite group. According to Sparky, this year will see the narrowing down of the squad with a view to focussing resources on those most likely to win medals in 2004. "The only way down now is out of the squad," he says. Harsh, but probably necessary in the tough world of Olympic sailing.

With several medal winners from 2000 now installed in new classes and numerous nippers and nearly-chances from the last campaign coming to the boil, over the next few days madforsailing will bring you a guide to who's hot for the coming season. Tomorrow, the single handers.

Page three... a full squad list