Team GBR update - 2

Peter Bentley surveys Britain's chances in the singlehanders for the coming season and 2004

Europe


Debbie Winstanly

Shirley Robertson's almost total domination of the Europe Class for nearly ten years has left something of a vacuum. The result is a young and relatively inexperienced squad. Results last year were somewhat lacklustre and the squad have some serious work to do if they are to stand any chance of a medal in 2004. To that end, Debbie Winstanly and Sarah Ayton have both been training hard this winter. Iain Percy's sister, Bryony, and Kirsty Bonnar, both currently on D-cards in the Development squad will also have to make a big step up this year if they want to have any serious prospects for 2004.

On the face of it, Ayton is perhaps too small for the boat. With a natural body weight below 60Kg she will certainly have some work to do in the gym if she is to compete across the wind range in a class where the top crews are at least 5Kg heavier. Set against this, she has the immeasurable advantage of having trained with Shirley in Sydney and knows at first hand what is required to win at the very top level. Winstanly has been working away for a number of years without seemingly making the breakthrough required to really move into the top flight. Training as part of a squad led by Mark Barron she has clearly stepped up a gear in the past few months, but it remains to be seen if she has done enough. This season will be make or break for the entire squad and early season results will offer a good indication as to weather any of them have made a big enough jump to look like serious contenders for Athens. If by the end of the season, there is no clear prospect for 2004, the RYA will almost certainly switch their attentions to building up a talent base for a more serious challenge in 2008.

And realistically, a medal in 2004 is probably unlikely in this class. That does not mean work done over the next couple of years will be wasted. Whoever qualifies for the Games in Athens will have a head start over the next generation of young sailors just about to emerge from the increasingly strong Laser Radial youth programme.

Internationally, the Europe class has been depleted by the defection of a number of its top stars to the Yngling. To a greater or lesser extent those left behind have simply moved up the rankings with the Czech republic's Lenka Smidova currently top of the list. The much fancied Finn Sari Multala, who bombed at the Olympics, fills second slot while Ireland's Maria Coleman lies third. Do not however expect this to be the medal order in Athens. Three-time world champion and Sydney Silver medallist Margriet Matthijsse is expected to return. Arch rival, Carolijn Brouwer, currently ranked a lowly 20th has been away sailing on Amer Sports Too. Expect her to move rapidly up the pecking order once the European season gets underway again.



Bryony Percy