Tim shares this latest news about young Isle of Wight sailors, Cameron Hook, Oliver Evans, Freya Sewell and Haydn Sewell. Ed
On Tuesday 27 September, Paralympic gold medalist Helena Lucas, Olympians Alyson Young and Nick Thompson, along with Mike Bushell from the BBC, were joined by four sailors from Gurnard Sailing Club to film a feature on sailing that will be broadcast on BBC Breakfast on Saturday 21 October.
The four sailors Cameron Hook, Oliver Evans, Freya Sewell and Haydn Sewell had an amazing day sharing sailing stories and getting hints and tips from the Rio 2016 stars while being interviewed by the BBC on and off the water.
World youth champions versus the Olympians
Freya Sewell joined Nick and Alyson, who are both World Champions in Laser dinghies, to sail a RS Vision in front of the cameras, while the three boys showed off their skills in their Optimists.
It was then all change as everyone swapped boats with the Olympic Laser stars going back a few years to get back in an Optimist, with Freya jumping in one too, and Cameron, Oliver and Haydn taking over the controls of the vision.
“One of the my best ever sailing days”
When she arrived back on shore, a beaming Freya said,
“We did two short races in the Optimist and I beat Nick and Alyson in both.”
The smiles on the faces of the three lads painted a similar picture.
Cameron said,
“It’s been one of the my best ever sailing days.”
Meeting and getting advice from sailors at the top of their game came at a really good time for the youngsters who are all involved in events at this time of year which determine what training squads they will be in over winter.
Young champions
In the Optimist fleet Haydn and Oliver are no strangers to success themselves. They are both in the National squad for winter training and Haydn won the Southern Area Champions and Oliver the Southern Traveller Series earlier year. There was still much gain from the sailing stars though.
Oliver commented,
“It was so great to meet and have loads of time to chat with sailors who went to Rio, I learnt so much from them.”
“A fantastic opportunity”
As well as have the opportunity to spend the day with top sailing talent, try on a gold medal, experience being filmed and interviewed for TV, the four were presented with special addition Volvo branded Spinlock buoyancy aids for their great work.
Summing up the day Haydn said,
“It was a fantastic day and fantastic opportunity. We can’t thank everyone involved enough for inviting us to take part.”
You can see the sailing stars of today and tomorrow on the BBC Breakfast show on Saturday 21 October throughout the morning from 6.30am.
Image: L-R, back row: Mike Bushell, Helena Lucas, Nick Thompson, Alyson Young
Front row: Freya Sewell, Oliver Evans, Haydn Sewell, Cameron Hook
