Laser Report - Medal Race Day
Written by RYA | 06 August 2012
Team Man Goody Vows To Bounce Back
Paul Goodison joked he is now going to help orchestrate the team boat washing operation after he concluded the London 2012 sailing regatta on a high with a final race third at Weymouth and Portland today (Monday 6 August).
The Beijing 2008 Laser class champion had his title defence blighted by a back injury from day one of the event but, with a medal out of his grasp heading into today’s final double points medal race, Goodison pledged to end his campaign as strongly as possible.
The 34-year-old delivered on his promise taking third spot in that last race to finish in seventh place overall. Now Goodison is looking forward to helping the rest of the British sailing team in their respective medal quests.
He said: “Going into today I wanted to give it my best just in respect for all the people who have helped me so much over the last four years and have put so much work into me. I went out there in a fair bit of pain and the harder I tried the worse it got. But I knew it was going to be the last day and now I can lie on my back for a couple of days and hopefully watch the other Brits bring it home.
“Me and Nick Dempsey [British windsurfer] sat down earlier watching the teams wash the boats and Nick said he’d charge £50 a session to wash them each day! I said I’d help orchestrate with my bad back and show them how to wash it!
“I am gutted but watching the other Brits come home and do well is something that I’m very passionate about. I’ve got so many friends in this team. I really desperately want to feel the joy that I did four years ago and whatever I can do to help I’m going to be there for the rest of the guys and it’s exciting to watch.”
Having suggested he would return to campaign for Rio 2016, Goodison added:
“I’m sure my back will be alright, it’s one of those things unfortunately. The Olympics is so special. It’s the one thing that I’m very passionate about, and I think I’ll go away now and think about what I’m going to do over the next four years and make a plan. I’d love to do it again.”
The Olympic Sailing Regatta runs from Sunday 29 July – Saturday 11 August.
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