RSX (Women)

Bryony Shaw

Bryony Shaw

Date of birth:
28 April 1983
Star sign:
Taurus
Place of birth:
London, UK
Current Hometown:
Tunbridge Wells
Nickname:
Britney, Brownie
Race class:


RS:X Women

Bryony Shaw is Britain’s most successful women’s windsurfer ever and the only British woman to have won an Olympic windsurfing medal.

Raised in Oxfordshire, Shaw deferred her architecture studies at Cardiff University to concentrate full-time on Olympic campaigning. That decision paid dividends whenshe won the Beijing Olympic Test Event in 2007, before making her bit of British sailing history with Olympic bronze the following year.

That bronze was her first major international Championship medal and firmly established Shaw among the world’s female windsurfing elite. In August 2011 Shaw won bronze at the Olympic Test Event at the 2012 Olympic venue in Weymouth and Portland.

 

 

Bryonys's Olympic Medals

Olympic Year & Venue Class Medal
Beijing 2008 RS:X Bronze

 

Bryony Shaw - RSX Women

 

Bryony's Q&A Session

Where did you first try windsurfing? In south France
Who encouraged you to try windsurfing? My family
Favourite windsurfer? Wave equipment (Neilpryde/JP)
Biggest influence in your career? Dom Tidey, my coach
Worst moment in your sailing career? Losing the 2004 Olympic trials, which meant I didn't get to represent Great Britain in Athens.
Best moment in your sailing career? Winning the bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics
Best sailing venue in the UK? Weymouth
Best sailing venue in the World? Pacific Islands
Most annoying rule in the book? No rule 42 for windsurfers!!
What would you be doing if you weren't a professional sailor?  Architect
How do you progress from an club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? Hard work and lifestyle choice
What are your greatest passions outside sailing? Interior design, surfing, shopping
Have you ever had any costly accidents whilst sailing? I took a huge wave in the medal race in Palma 2008 and split my sail, so I lost my place on the podium.
Who are your heroes?  Kelly Slater’s dominance in surfing impresses me!
What other sports do you enjoy? Wave sailing and snowboarding
What would you love to do but never have the time or money for? I would love to buy a Lambourgini and live in California drinking coke!
What word best depicts your personality? Perfectionist
If you were a pantomime character what would you be? Cinderella – occasionally a princess but mostly a house cleaner!
Any superstitions? At the Olympics I had my Blue Peter badge
What's your greatest fear or phobia? I am not good with snakes
Theme song? Lady Gaga – Poker Face
What reality show would you like to appear on? I would love to go on Strictly Come Dancing
Three things that are always in your shopping trolley? Coke, soya milk, bananas
What was the last book your read? Harry Potter
Worst habit? Losing things (which happens a lot!)
What's your dream holiday? Surfing on a Pacific Island with a lot of friends
What's better about football than sailing? Group showers after the game!!
Where do you keep your Olympic medal? In my sock drawer 

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