The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
SUPER SURFER: Silver lining for Dempsey in Rio
Windsurfing
A man who learned his sport at Ferry Meadows, which backed on to his Orton home, has become the most decorated Olympic male windsurfer of all time.
Five-time Olympian Nick Dempsey sailed to silver in Rio at the weekend and that took his tally of medals to three.
It was his second successive silver and he also won a bronze in Athens in 2004.
He finished second to Dorian van Rijsselberghe from the Netherlands on Sunday and was thrilled to bits. And he was also immensely proud of what he’s achieved overall.
Dempsey said: “Being the most decorated male Olympic wind surfer is awesome, something I’m incredibly proud of.
“I love the Olympics. I think it is the best thing in the world. Everything that it stands for is pretty special.”
The36-year-old, whomade his Olympic debut at Sydney in 2000, said he won’t yet rule out a sixth Games bid but admits it is unlikely.
“I have been working for a long time, and it’s very hard to stay at the top for that long.
“I’m not sure I can do it again. I’d love to if I could. It will be very emotional when I sit dow nina quiet space on my own to think about my future.
“I love windsurfing, I love racing, and I just don’t like losing.
“Butif you’re going to carry on doing it, you have to be winning or at least in contention.
“If I do decide to quit, then I’ll have to get a job! I’d like to do photography if I can make it work and a bit of coaching. I think I’d like some new challenges and new goals.”
Dempsey hastwosonsand the eldest Thomas thought a silver medal was great.
Dempsey added: “When I spoke to my boys, Oscar wasn’t really fussed but Thomas said ‘it’s okay daddy, you have two silvers now, which is the same as one gold’. In his eyes, it’s okay which is cool. They’re both windsurfing. They just love the water.”