Simon Hiscocks

madforsailing talks to Britain's first sailing medallist at the 2000 Games (well, he did cross the line before Ian Barker)

madforsailing.com got a chance for a quick word with Simon Hiscocks, crew of the British 49er team, before they went out to sail today’s final, crucial race.

mfs - Did you really think, before you came out here to Sydney, that you would get a medal of any colour?

SH - We just wanted to sail as well as we possibly could and to see what we got. Obviously, at the back of your mind, you really would like to win a medal and I always thought it would be possible. I knew it would be hard and at the end of the day it came our way.

mfs - How did you feel when you realised that you were definitely going to get either a silver or bronze medal?

SH - It was just a huge weight off my shoulders. It was great, because we’d been in third place for quite a long time, challenging for first and second and there was always the thought that you might end up finishing fourth, having come so close and it was just great to know that we’d got a medal. That’s what you come here for and not everyone does it, even if on paper they are favoured above you.

mfs - Going into today’s race, how are you planning to sail it, are you sailing for silver?

SH - Definitely, we’ve got a six point lead over the Americans in third and we’ve just got to protect that. In one race, it’s quite a big lead, but it’s easy to lose that many points too, and just as easy to extend it. You just can’t plan anything going into the last race as you know that the Americans will do everything they can to get past you. We’ll just try and sail as well as we can and sail a clean race, and keep out of trouble.
mfs - Will your race plan involve covering the Americans?

SH - Certainly, if we’re in front of them then we’ll keep a close eye on them and we won’t want to let them get away too far.

mfs - How much of a surprise was it that the Finnish boat has won with two races to spare?

SH - Everyone expected the Australian to win but the Finn is very good. He’s won the Laser worlds in the past and he was third in the last 49er world championships, so he’s been coming on really well. I think more people are surprised that we are in second than that the Finn is going home with a gold medal, as we haven’t had such good international results as they have.

mfs - What are your plans for celebrating tonight?

SH - Well, we’ve still got to sail one race and see what we get. Then we’re really looking forward to the Medal Ceremony, which will take place at the Opera House. Hopefully we’ll have a few glasses of champagne to celebrate with.