Paul Goodison
- Date of birth:
- 29 November 1977
- Star sign:
- Sagittarius
- Place of birth:
- Sheffield, UK
- Current Hometown:
- Weymouth
- Nickname:
- Goody
Sheffield born and Rotherham bred, Paul Goodison is the reigning single-handed Laser class Olympic champion.
Goodison was training partner to Ben Ainslie for Sydney 2000 and had his first shot at Olympic glory at Athens 2004. Disappointingly for Goodison, he finished just outside the medals in fourth but it was a result that would make him even more determined to make amends in China four years later.
With an 18-point lead over his nearest rival heading into the final race at Beijing 2008, ruthless Goodison produced a clinical display to sail the only man who could snatch gold from him to the back of the fleet to secure the Olympic title. He followed Olympic gold with his first World title the following year.
Goodison learned to sail with his dad in a National 12 aged four.
Paul's Olympic Medals
| Olympic Year & Venue | Class | Medal |
| Beijing 2008 | Laser | Gold |
Paul's Q&A Session
| First boat sailed and where? | National 12 at the Ulley Sailing Club |
| Who got you into sailing? | Parents |
| Favourite boat? | My Laser |
| Biggest influence in your career to date? | Parents |
| My worst moment (sailing)? | Sailing in after finishing 4th at the Athens Olympics |
| My best moment (sailing)? | Sailing in after winning Gold in Beijing Olympics |
| Best sailing venue in the UK? | Ulley Sailing Club |
| Best sailing venue in the World? | Cancun Mexico |
| Most annoying rule in the sailing rule book? | I don’t have one |
| If you weren’t a professional sailor what else would you be? | Fighter Pilot!!!!!! |
| How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? | Time, hard work and talent |
| What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? | Cycling, windsurfing and kitesurfing |
| Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? | Yep Broken wrist winter 2007 |
| Football club you support? Do you actively go and see them? | Sheffield United, Yep!!!!! |
| Do you follow any other sports? | Most sports |
| Any heroes? | Steve Peat |
| What other sports do you play? | Lots football, tennis, golf , squash… |
| What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? | Go big in Vegas |
| Worst habit? | Spending too much cash |
| What word or phrase most depicts your personality? | Active |
| Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? | No |
| What’s your greatest fear or phobia? | Used to be heights but seem to be almost over it these days |
| If you had a theme song – what would it be? | Chase and Status – End Credits |
| Favourite reality show? And would you go on it? | Strictly - yep |
| Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley? | Milk, chicken, Haribo |
| What was the last book you read? | Between a rock and a hard place |
| Dream holiday? | Surfing in Hawaii |
| What's better about football than sailing? | Supporters passion |
| Where do you keep your Olympic medals? | In a cupboard |