20 years to get here – worth every minute
FLETCHER was joined on the podium by Leicester-born sailor John Gimson, who won silver in the multihull Nacra with Anna Burnet.
World champions Gimson and Burnet, who are coached by Sydney Olympic champion Iain Percy, always had a tough challenge to overhaul long-time fleet leaders, Italy’s Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti.
The Italians have been leading the regatta since the first day and despite finishing one place ahead of them in the medal race, the British pair took silver.
“It’s been worth every minute but, most importantly I’ve done it for 20 years to get here,” said Gimson, 38.
“An unbelievable amount of people have helped me along the way and just for them, to say thank you, I’m glad we did it.
“Twice my discipline got dropped as a class. Just as a youngster having done one cycle ready to go for my campaign for the Games and it was dropped at the start of the cycle.
“The second time I did that I’d sold my house and had literally no money and at that point I was questioning my life decisions but it was all worth it, all of it.”
Burnet, 28, from Shandon, said: “It’s amazing. The team’s had such an incredible day. Seeing the 49er boys win gold before we went out, John found it a bit stressful I think with all of the emotion but I found it hugely inspiring and I’m so happy we’re part of this team, which is performing so well.
“I just feel like John’s someone who’s the most deserving of an Olympic medal of anyone I’ve ever known. He’s put so much work into this for so long. To help him achieve that, I’m just so happy.”