From the other UK Star team

John Gimson reports on progress with his Olympic campaign with Ed Greig

Unlimited Sailing Team John Gimson and Ed Greig have had a very busy and successful six weeks of sailing with regattas around the globe in the men’s Olympic keelboat.

The Bacardi Cup in Miami at the start of March was the first regatta - one of the biggest regattas the team will compete in this year, the entry list being a who’s who of sailing. The racing was very tight in the 67 Boat fleet but the Skandia team GBR duo finished the regatta with a consistent score line and very respectable 15th overall meeting their goal.

Two weeks later the team had shipped their boat back to the UK in preparation for Hyeres OCR in April, but kindly Jud Smith lent them his boat in the US for the Western Hemisphere Championships in Mississippi, sailing out of Pass Christian Yacht Club. The team finished 8th overall, most of the regatta was sailed in light fickle winds with a day being lost to tornados, thunder storms and 70+ mph winds.

The boat arrived back in the UK just in time for the lads to head down to the South of France for Hyeres Olympic Classes Regatta. The regatta was very good boat speed practice for the team, with similar conditions everyday boat speed improved over the week. After 15 races the team went in to the medal race in 4th place on equal points with the Greek team in 3rd and one point away from the American team in 2nd. So from these three teams who ever beat who in the medal race would be 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively. In a stiff 18 to 20 knot breeze, John and Ed had a good start at the pin and took control of the other two boats, covering who ever was closest to them for the rest of the race successfully taking the 2nd place in the medal race and the event. Finishing 2nd overall in this regatta moved them up to 4th overall in the ISAF Sailing World Cup standings.

The Skandia team GBR Star team is also largely supported by unlimitedsailing.com and powered by Doyle sails and would like to thank Eamonn O’Nolan for all his support, Jud Smith for his help, Ian Barker for his great coaching support and the Royal Southern Yacht Club for providing them with a great training base.

Finally on a very sad note team are very sorry to hear of the recent loss of Richard Estaugh, and would like to send their condolences to his family and colleagues.

“Richard was a great inspiration and my first sailing hero. I first properly met him age 14, he took me under his wing during my youth sailing years, and gave me a large amount of support and help. From on the water sailing tips, and showing me how sails are made, right through to securing my first equipment sponsors. I am so thankful to Richard for what he did for me, and the big part he played in my sailing to date. He was a very kind, modest man and a very talented sailor who I will never forget”