Bithell battling the world’s best
ELITE sailor Stuart Bithell will go into battle against the world’s best this week in his biggest challenge in the countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Rochdale’s Bithell, 32, will be among 17 athletes flying the flag for Great Britain at the official Tokyo 2020 test event, which begins on Saturday (August 17).
The regatta, dubbed Ready Steady Tokyo and held on the waters of Tokyo 2020 sailing venue Enoshima, is a dress rehearsal for the Games
proper with nations selecting just one entry in each of the ten Olympic sailing classes.
Crucially, Ready Steady Tokyo is a key performance indicator in the run-up to Tokyo 2020, where Britain will aim to top the sailing medal table for the fifth time in six Games.
Bithell was chosen as part of an ongoing selection process to ensure the nation’s best chances of winning medals at Tokyo 2020.
He will represent Britain in the 49er class alongside helm Dylan Fletcher. Bithell won silver in the Men’s 470 at London 2012 and teamed up with Rio 2016 Olympian Fletcher for the Tokyo 2020 campaign.
The pair were picked following their success over the first part of 2019 which included winning the 49er European Championships.
“I’m feeling really good about the test event,” said Bithell, who rolls into the event fresh from competing in the SailGP event in Cowes, UK.
“It’s been a shorter build up for us than most as we were racing at the SailGP event but we were in Japan for the whole of July and got some very good training in. It’s a bit hotter than when we were here last but we are comfortable now and looking forward to some sea breeze and some big waves.
“My history in the test event is a bit chequered. I did one test event and didn’t go to the Olympics and didn’t do one but did go to the Olympics. I’m hoping to buck that trend this time around.”
Selection for the test event, made by the RYA’s Olympic Selection Committee, is a key step in the RYA’s ongoing process to nominate athletes to go to Tokyo 2020 as part of Team GB.
It does not guarantee that these athletes will be picked to represent Team GB at Tokyo 2020.
“All of the chosen athletes have demonstrated medal-winning potential so far this year,” said Mark Robinson, Olympic Performance Manager at the RYA.
“We are blessed with strength and depth in many classes as the results in the recent class European Championships have proven.
“I’m delighted with the progress of the team and am looking forward to watching them perform in the Olympic waters off Enoshima.”