University sailor to train with Olympic squad

A Plymouth University student is riding on the crest of a wave after being selected to train with some of the nation’s golden generation of sailors.

Peter McCoy, 19, has been invited to train with the Royal Yachting Association‘s (RYA) Olympic Development Squad ahead of this summer’s London games.

He will be heading up to the Olympic sailing venue, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, to start training with the squad this weekend.

He then hopes to compete in Sail for Gold 2012, also being held in Dorset, which will be used by many teams as a warm-up for the Games.

Peter has already competed in the international arena as part of the RYA Volvo Laser Standard National Youth squad, and was fourth Briton home at the World and European Junior Championships in La Rochelle last year.

He hopes this move will be the next step of his quest to follow in the wake of sailing superstars such as Ben Ainslie, who will go for his fourth gold in 2012, and World and European Champion Giles Scott.

Peter, from Emsworth in Hampshire, said: “I have sailed since the age of four, and raced from 12. I have always sailed single-handed boats – Toppers and Lasers – and my performances there, as well as my level of fitness, have led to my selection.

“The Great Britain Finn squad is one of the strongest in world sailing and I know how much hard work it is going to take to break into it.

“Realistically, I think I am maybe looking at the 2020 Olympics, but it is great to be chosen for the squad so early in my career.”

Peter, who is studying for a BSc (Hons) Applied Marine Sports Sciences, has also been the fresher’s rowing captain at the University.

Through this, he was invited to attend a GB Rowing Team summer camp, although he has turned this down to concentrate solely on his sailing.

He said the University’s support had been a huge help as he sought to achieve his goal of golden success on the water.

“I have had great support from my course leaders, which is enabling me to fit in training and competition around my studies and I am sure this will continue,” he said.

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