madforsailing talks to Steve Joel

RYA Youth Manager comments on Briton's youth talents

I am slightly surprised that the goal is only to finish third and ask Steve why the goal is not simply to win. "The answer is simple. I think that is realistic for where we are. Last time around we were fourth and this time around the goal is to go one better. It is going to be very hard to beat France on their home ground and we know the Australians will be very strong this year," he says, adding that he hopes the team will be much better and stronger when the event is held in Canada next year.
As always, Joel is firmly looking towards the future. He sees the newly developed Youth Programme not just as an aim in itself but more importantly as a stepping-stone to the future success of British sailing in general. "These sailors are the people who are going to feature in the Olympic Games in 2008," he says. According to Joel, the strength of the new program and in particular the individual support it is able to offer the top crews has made a big difference to this year's squad. They have all benefited from individual fitness programs. They have also benefited from support for any individual needs they may have, adding proudly, "they are without doubt the best prepared team ever for a Youth Worlds".

Joel is particularly sharp in pointing out the value of the additional financial support the team has received both from Sport England and commercial sponsors. "Without the additional resources from Sport UK and Volvo Car UK Ltd we would not have been able to provide the levels of support that we have done. That enables us to prepare a good team for the Youth Worlds but most importantly to be able to focus on the next generation for next years Youth Worlds and the year after that".

With so much money and resources committed, it looks like the British Youth sailing team should be bringing home some medals shortly. If they do not some hard questions will have to be answered.