Iain Percy

madforsailing talked to the man leading the Finn standings for Team GBR

Iain Percy had another good day on Thursday, to move into an eight point lead in the Finn class. Madforsailing caught up with him afterwards to see how he was enjoying his Olympic Games.

mfs - You went to the last Games in Atlanta, as a tune-up partner to Richard Stenhouse, how different is this Olympic experience for you?

IP - Well, I’m obviously far far more involved. In Atlanta we were in the team house, and I wasn’t allowed into the Olympic Site or anything like that. So it really felt just like a training session and it just happened to be in the Olympic venue. This time I’m fully involved and it's just the opposite, completely different.

mfs - How tough has this regatta been so far?

IP - It’s been tough. It’s really difficult here, and you just need to keep a level head, especially on the inside courses. And if you get a break, really make sure that you don’t mess it up. If you don’t get a break and you’re down on them, you’ve just got to go for it and plug away and try to get back.

mfs - Today you raced outside the Harbour, is that your preferred course?

IP - Yes, it’s much less stressful, because it’s more constant and there’s less chance for it to turn inside out. It comes down to normal sailing, you’ve got to start well and work the waves and work the race, whereas inside you’ve got to be alert, ready for any sort of change all the time.

mfs - Both Frederik Loof and Mateusz Kusznierewicz have been yellow flagged for Rule 42. If they get another they have to retire from the race. Does that take some pressure off you?

IP - It helps! It puts pressure on them. It makes more difference than people normally realise. When you’ve got one over you, it definitely makes you more cautious. It’s really nice to be in the latter stages of an event without one, because a 720 is nothing out there. But for them coming into a mark, if they need to give it a bit, then the pressure is right on them.

mfs - Do you feel that Team GBR has got it right for the sailors in their preparation? How much has it helped you?
IP - They’re the most organised out of all the teams and all the countries and they’ve covered all the different scenarios. They have catered for the sailors needs and have geared up for that. The Italians, for example, have a lot of money but their set-up isn’t nearly as good. It’s geared more towards their officials, and there are a lot of them - who stay in fantastic accommodation - but those officials don’t seem to have put as much thought into the event as our officials.

mfs - On a normal sailing day, how does your schedule work?

IP - I get up at 7.45 am and have breakfast. I get to the sailing venue at about 9.30 am and get out on the water, usually by about 10 am on the outside courses, and then race until about 4.30 pm when we come in. I get something to eat on the way home and then go for a massage with the physio. I’ll then eat dinner and then go out for a couple of drinks with some of the guys. I’ll be home by 10.30 and in bed by 11.00. Very normal stuff really.

mfs - Thanks, and good luck for the remaining four races