A new dream, and new motivation
Written by Pippa Wilson | 30 March 2013
In 2009 I felt needed to take a break from sailing – whilst at the time I didn’t know whether it was permanent, I was lacking some other things in my life that I needed; some space to understand myself better away from sport, some time to spend with my family and friends and some perspective.
Having spent the majority of my childhood (from around the age of 12) with sailing and performing being at the real heart of my existence, at the age of 18 I became a full time athlete with my heart set on winning gold in Beijing. After two years of extensive campaigning, in 2006 the timing and fit was perfect and I made the move to join Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, gold medallists from Athens now in new roles in the boat.
The road to our gold medal in Beijing 2008 was thorough, fulfilling and completely all-encompassing – our hearts were set on winning in Beijing and that gold medal became our number one priority. Weddings and family occasions were sacrificed, and normal life was put on hold.
After 2008, the Yngling was removed from the Olympics and having spent so much time developing, learning and refining our craft, it was a disappointment obviously that the team we had developed was now obsolete. After a break I continued to compete, trying out the other Olympic disciplines and in 2009 teamed up in the 470 class with Saskia Clark.
But six months on I felt that I just didn’t have the motivation emotionally or physically to give the campaign what it deserved. I was fearful of compromising Saskia’s chances of winning the gold in 2012 and I wanted to commit fully to her, but in my heart I couldn’t. I needed some time to develop away from sailing. I knew the decision I was making meant missing London 2012 – time just goes too quickly – and I knew that it would be an incredible Olympic Games, but I felt I had no choice, I needed space, new motivation and some fresh air away from the sailing circuit.
It didn’t take long for me to miss the sport – being on the water is like home to me and whilst I wouldn’t change my decision for the world, it is an exciting privilege to have the chance to compete again and follow my passion, as a more rounded and motivated, happier person. I have spent time over the last three years, coaching, studying, keeping fit and learning some other sports and I have realised how much I love sport, competition, and having a goal to work towards that I am so passionate about.
The Nacra 17 multihull is a hugely exciting new discipline, which represents part of the development that modern sailing is taking and who knows where we will end up, but it is fantastic to be faced with such a difficult challenge, mentally, physically and with a new teammate. That is what the Olympics and life is all about – so John Gimson and I have accepted the challenge and every day is focussed on trying to become the best in the world in this new discipline. It is a very large mountain to climb, and the road will be full of highs and lows, but at the moment it feels like home to be out on the water following a new dream and trying to make the best of every day.
Commentating on BBC Radio 5 live over the Olympic Games was a huge privilege and watching my old teammates performing so well and continuing to enjoy the sport was also a huge inspiration to me. Whilst I was already plotting to get back into a boat, it definitely fuelled my Olympic ambitions – you have to be in it to win it, right?!