Stuart Bithell
- Date of birth:
- 28 August 1986
- Star sign:
- Virgo
- Place of birth:
- Manchester, UK
- Current Hometown:
- Portland
Stuart Bithell was introduced to sailing as a seven-year-old at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club, Rochdale in a Firefly. He began racing when he turned 12 and became a member of Skandia Team GBR Development Squad by the time he was 18. He raced against now sailing partner, Luke Patience, when they were 15.however went on to form a partnership in 2009 in the men’s 470 double-handed dinghy. Bithell relocated from Rochdale to Portland four years ago
In 2009, the pair exceeded even the most optimistic expectations during their relatively short time together as they claimed a silver medal at the 2009 470 World Championships, after being together for only two weeks. The pair went onto to achieve the same outcome at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in June 2009. A string of impressive podium finishes saw Bithell climb up to fourth in the ISAF World Rankings by the end of 2010. They won their second Worlds silver together in Perth, Australia in December 2011.
Stuart's Olympic Medals
| Olympic Year & Venue | Class | Medal |
| n/a | n/a | n/a |
Stuart's Q&A Session
| First boat sailed and where? | Crewing for my old man in a firefly at my local sailing club, Hollingworth lake. I was seven at the time. |
| Most influential person in your sailing career to date? | My old man |
| Best moment in your sailing career? | Silver medal 470 World Championships 2009 |
| Passions outside of sailing? | Windsurfing, kitesurfing, Surfing, Climbing, most racket sports, I'm also trying to learn guitar and I've got the best vegetable patch on the whole of Portland. I grow a mean carrot! |
| Who is your hero? | Bradley Wiggins, because he is a very successful Olympian, his Tour de France achievements and just the type of person he is. |
| What is the toughest part of your sport? | Keeping focus for such long periods of time> |
| Greatest Sailing Goal: | At least one Olympic Gold medal |
| Greatest Sailing Strength | Tactics |