Olympic sailing trio Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson sealed victory at the Yngling World Championships winning with a day still to spare.
The team dominated the regatta from the start and were favourites going into the 28 fleet race. ‘Team Mirabaud’ were determined not to let complacency kick in however, with mistakes in the past allowing their position to slip. “We’ve made mistakes, but this time out experience helped us through,” said Ayton.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the team as they were faced with some tricky conditions and big breezes along the way. But determined to retain their World Title they weren’t prepared to let it slip from their grasp, “We just sailed really consistently and out teamwork has really shone through,” gushed Wilson.
Ayton admitted the team knows they need to keep moving forward, “It’s great to be in the position we’re in, but this is just a stepping stone on the way.”
The Beijing bound trio were given their Olympic status after winning both the 2007 World Championships in Cascais and the Olympic Test Event in Quingdao.
Fellow British sailing team led by Shirley Robertson also finished the regatta strongly, moving up two positions to claim 8th spot, after starting the final day in 10th.
Harriet Edkins, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
