Andrew Simpson
- Date of birth:
- 07 December 1976
- Star sign:
- Sagittarius
- Place of birth:
- Chertsey, UK
- Current Hometown:
- Sherborne
- Nickname:
- Bart
Andrew Simpson’s millstone of perennial bridesmaid was banished for good when he won Beijing 2008 Star keelboat class gold with Sydney 2000 Finn gold medallist Iain Percy.
Having developed under former RYA National Racing coach, Jim Saltonstall, Simpson enjoyed success in the Finn heavyweight dinghy, including a 2003 Worlds bronze, but could never quite nudge ahead of lifelong best mates Percy and Ben Ainslie in gaining Olympic selection.
After teaming up with Percy in the Star in January 2007, the duo provided a glimpse of what was to come with a Worlds bronze medal that summer. But it was in Beijing 2008 where everything fell into place, with crewman Simpson and Percy on the helm producing a heroic last race display to claim their hugely poignant gold medal.
In the build-up to the London 2012, Simpson has claimed his place on the podium at all of the 2012 ISAF World Cup events, including gold at the Hyeres French World Cup regatta, plus won Worlds silver.
Andrew's Olympic Medals
| Olympic Year & Venue | Class | Medal |
| Beijing 2008 | Star | Gold |
Andrew's Q&A Session
| First boat sailed and where? | Seafly with dad age six in Christchurch
|
| Who got you into sailing? | My parents |
| Favourite boat? | Finn |
| Biggest influence in your career to date? | My dad |
| My worst moment (sailing)? | Not going to Youth Worlds 1993 |
| My best moment (sailing)? | Olympic Games 2008 |
| Best sailing venue in the UK? | Mounts Bay |
| Best sailing venue in the World? | Airlie Beach Austraila |
| If you werent a professional sailor what else would you be? | Finance |
| How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? | Sail harder |
| What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? | Spurs, my wife, family and friends |
| Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? | Yes, had bad knees when I was young |
| Most expensive sailing accident? | Team Germany bringing down our mast in 2007 americas cup |
| Football club you support? | Spurs |
| Do you actively go and see them? | Yes I go when I can |
| Do you follow any other sports? | All sports! |
| Any heroes? | Ian Botham |
| What other sports do you play? | Not many now, I used to play football badly. |
| Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? | I listen to certain music tracks before races |
| Whats your greatest fear or phobia? | Heights |
| If you had a theme song what would it be? | The Rocky theme song |
| Favourite reality show and would you go on it? | No, they are all terrible! |
| Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley? | Red meat, tomatoes, cider |
| What was the last book you read? | Michael Phelps autobiography |
| What makes you angry? | Making stupid errors |
| Dream holiday? | My honeymoon |
| What's better about football than sailing? | The money! |
| Where do you keep your Olympic medals? | I can't say |