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Tom Slingsby (AUS)

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Factfile

Name Tom Slingsby
Nation Australia
Date of Birth 5 September 1984
Place of Birth Sydney, Australia
Class sailed Laser
Profession Sailor
Website Twitter @ Click here for a Photo Gallery

Coming into the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition Tom Slingsby knew the Weymouth and Portland waters better than anyone and with an unbeaten record at the venue he was the overwhelming favourite to take gold.

Determined to banish his Beijing 2008 demons Slingsby did not fail to impress and established his name at the top of the leader board from day one. Throughout the week he thrived under the pressure and three consecutive race wins gave him daylight ahead of the Medal Race. Comfortably seeing off his nearest rival Slingsby took gold in style to become the first Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Slingsby's road to London 2012 had been as impressive as his victory in Weymouth and at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship in front of his home nation he won his fourth Laser World title. His fifth, and third consecutive world title, came less than six months later in Boltenhagen, Germany. Slingsby was rampant taking four race wins from the first five races ensuring the job was done with a race to spare.

Further regatta victories came during the ISAF Sailing World Cup which further established his status as one of the best sailors to step into a Laser.

Acheivements between 31 September 2011 and 31 August 2012

Gold medal - London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, Weymouth and Portland, GBR - August 2012
2012 Laser World Champion - Laser World Championship, Boltenhagen, GER - May 2012
2011 Laser World Champion - Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, Perth, AUS - December 2011
#1 on the world rankings throughout the nomination period

1 - Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta, Weymouth and Portland, GBR - June 2012
5 - Semaine Olympique Française, Hyeres, France - April 2012
13 - Trofeo SAR Princess Soria MAPFRE, Palma de Majorca, ESP - March 2012
1 - Sail Melbourne, Melbourne, AUS - November 2011

5 overall - 2011-2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup

3 - Etchells World Championship, Sydney, AUS - February 2012
14 - Melges 32 World Championship Palma de Mallorca, ESP - September 2011

Q&A

What inspired you to take up sailing?

My father and two older sisters were sailing so I just followed them.

What was the first boat you ever sailed and how old were you?

The first boat I sailed was a Sabot - aged five years old.

Name your first sailing club

My first sailing club was Gosford Sailing Club. Still my only club to this day.

What was the first event you competed in and in what year?

I think it was a small sabot regatta at my club around 1994.

What are your personal sailing career highlights?

Personal highlights for me woudl be voted World Sailor of the Year 2010 and Olympic Gold Medal.

What are your future sailing goals?

My future sailing goals are to win the America's Cup and hopefully one day steer an Australian Team to win the America's Cup.

Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why?

The person who has had the greatest impact on my sailing career would have to be my Dad. Ive had to make a lot of choices of paths and directions to go in sailing and he has always been there to help me make the right decisions.

Who is your sailing hero?

John Betrand, Robert Schiedt and Ben Ainslie

What other sports do you enjoy?

I enjoy windsurfing, tennis, Mixed Martial Arts and just recently trying Kiteboarding.

What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you and how would you feel if you were voted the winner?

I have been very fortunate to win World Sailor of the Year in 2010. Its a huge honour just to be named as a finalist but to win is the biggest accolade you can get in our sport.

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