The Iain Percy column

Iain thanks the Stars for being so lucky

I went for my first sail in the Star the other day - what a boat. I was out with David Howlett who went to the Olympic in 1992 in the boat. It was one of those typical big days in Hayling bay, 20 knots from the west and big steep waves, probably not the best conditions for my imitation but after a long break from small boat sailing I enjoyed every second.
So here I am just over three years to go to the Olympics, loads to learn, but what a challenge. But is it the challenge it once was? The more I think about it, the more I think my generation should be open about how lucky we are. Since the introduction of Lottery funding to British sailing the likes of Ben Ainslie and myself having proved ourselves, were able to chase our dream almost without limitations. This opportunity has simply not been available to people older than us. I think of my sister who was every bit as good as me, only two years older, so when she left university there was no lottery funding and the Olympic path was simply not a viable gamble.

So as I was saying, I am faced with this new challenge, but I know I will have as good a chance as any, and a much better chance than the British Star sailors of the past.

There are probably a couple of things to take from this. The first is that I should tread carefully around sailors a little older who would have killed for the opportunities I have had. But more importantly I need to also realise that because of my early intense sailing education I must settle for nothing less than being the best; indeed there is no excuse for not being the best.

I have often sensed that many slightly older sailors than myself hold this view, but have not spoken up for fear of sounding churlish. Or maybe they have spoken up, just not when I'm around! I think it is a fair debate and worth discussing, but I feel I owe it to my peers to pepper this admission with the odd reality check. It is not just within the UK that professionalism has arrived. So when I say I have no excuse for not winning, it should be echoed across the channel, in Scandinavia and America.

I would be interested to hear what you guys think. Are there green murmurings out there, or do you believe that careers like the Forces offered the same opportunities as the lottery does today?