Since arriving back from China, I have been trying to spend as much time in Istanbul with with partner Stephen Thomas who is currently working out there, project managing the build of two composite super yachts for Oyster.
Last year wasa tough year for us spending many months apart, so we are trying to make up for lost time and enjoying each others company.
I have been occupying myself out here, windsurfing, cycling and taking the oportunity to learn some new design software and refresh my memory on the subject of my degree. My degree was in Yacht and power craft design, and I hope to be able to give some design support to Steve when I am out in Turkey.

I have been back to the U.K a couple of times mainly to attend some sponsoship functions with Volvo and Charles Russell LLP. One of which was a fund raiser at the Weymouth and Portland acadmy for Children in Need. It’s also been great to catch up with friends and family and finally relax in our newly renovated house in Southampton.

Between now and Christmas most of my time will be spent out here in Istanbul, but we are back home for Christmas, with all my family coming to us for Christmas day, Steve’s doing the cooking! We are then entertaining his family in Turkey for New Year, so it’s be a busy time.

I have also spent the last couple of months pondering my options and what to do next. I am very keen to get back into Olympic sailing, maybe trying my hand at match racing in the Elliot 6m or going back in to the 470. I have also really enjoyed sailing the 2.4mR as well. So I am keeping all my options open for the time being with a view to making some decisions in the New Year. One thing for sure is that I definatly want to be competing in Weymouth in 2012 and standing on the Podium this time.

I am sitting in my room in the village in Beijing, reflecting over events that have happened in the last month. It seems like years ago that we arrived in Qingdao full of confidence and determination to follow in the footsteps of the Olympic team. We certainly had a few curve balls thrown at us along the way, but checked in to the village in high spirits and full of anticipation for the start of the regatta.
I knew things were going to be tough in the 2.4mR, being such a competitive fleet and everyone ramping up their training in the months before. Unfortunately my training had not gone quite according to plan due to some issues with the boat, but I went out for the first race with the confidence, if I sailed well I would be in the medals.

It was a tough week, with such close racing that one mistake could cost you 5 places not the normal one or two. It was also evident that some of the other countries initially not considered to be in the medal zone had really raised their Game and were very much in the mix.

All week I stayed within contention of the medals and still had a good chance going into the last day. Unfortunately it did not go my way. However I am really pleased for Paul Tingley from Canda who won Gold putting in a fantastic performance on the water and John Ruff from the USA who won the Bronze. Both sailors rose to the occasion and probably sailed the best regattas of their lives. Damien Seguin from France just clinched the silver in the last race.

It has taken a few days for the disappointment to really sink in as we have been so busy, but I must admit it’s hard now that I am in Beijing reunited with the rest of the British Paralympic team who have had a great Games and know that I did not manage to contribute to it. But I have learnt some valuable lessons from my experience in China which I will certainly take with me to 2012 where hopefully I will be standing on the podium in front of my home crowd!

Other images included with this entry..