Mersea Island Web Portal

02 November

WARWICKSHIRE may be one of the furthest counties from the sea but Kenilworth teenager Tim Walton has gained selection into Skandia Team GBR’s Olympic sailing training programme.
Walton, one of only two schoolboys in the team, was selected after consistent performances sailing in the British youth squad.
Walton, who previously crewed in the 29er class with his helm James Bollingbroke from Mersea Island, were first British boat in the European 29er Championships in Switzerland in July and third at the National 29er Championships in Torquay in August.
They had previously just missed a podium place in the UK Youth Championships at Hayling Island during the Easter break, however their consistent performances in the 29er during the year were good enough to allow selection into the Olympic Programme.
The Warwick schoolboy, who also captained the English Schools Water Polo team against Australia last year, has now moved into the senior ranks with Bollingbroke and is sailing the high performance 49er skiff.
He has had to balance the demands of his A-level studies with a busy sailing schedule but is thrilled to have been selected.
He said:”To represent my country at the Olympic Games would be a great honour but there is a lot of work to be done to reach that level.
“Most sailors take four or five years to become really competitive and Great Britain has many of the best sailors in the world and the competition is very tough.
“At the moment I am just excited to be part of the training group.
“Sailing at this level is a large leap up the learning curve and James and I are just trying to get grips with the new boat whilst I finish my A-level studies.’
Walton hopes to go to Southampton University, which will allow him to train regularly at the Weymouth National Sailing Centre and London 2012 venue whilst continuing with a University education.
He added:”After that I will need to make a decision whether to sail full time, but that is a little way off at the moment.
“There are so many things to consider and to run an Olympic campaign can cost in the region of £150,000, so it is big decision to make.
“Up to now I have been fortunate to get grants from Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire (CSW) Sport and UK Sportaid and our parents have helped a lot but we will need significant sponsorship from now on to allow us to compete.
“I would love to meet anyone who thinks they may be able to help our programme.”
The 49er class is considered the Formula 1 equivalent of sailing in the Olympic Games.
The boats are very fast but unstable and difficult to sail. Great Britain has a good track record however, winning Silver Medals in Sydney 2000 and Bronze in Athens 2004.