How Great Britain became an Olympic sailing powerhouse

Episode 1 – The legacy that shaped British Olympic sailing

How did Great Britain become the world’s most successful Olympic sailing nation?

In our first episode, three influential figures reflect on the passion, setbacks and turning points that shaped British achievement on the water over the decades.

Keith Musto OBE explains how he broke new ground in the 1960s by applying an innovative approach to Olympic training — doubling down on fitness preparation to the derision of his competitors. But it was an approach that paid off, resulting in an unlikely silver medal in 1964 alongside Tony Morgan.

Rod Carr CBE – former coach, Performance Director and erstwhile CEO of the RYA – looks back on the challenges and opportunities of steering the sport through periods of seismic change, from volunteer-driven campaigns to the evolution of a more professional structure.

Former Olympic Manager Stephen ‘Sparky’ Park CBE takes us inside the transformation brought about by National Lottery funding, pivoting from part-time campaigns and borrowed boats to full-time athletes, world-class coaching and training bases that have powered Britain’s golden era, including at a once-in-a-generation home Olympics in 2012.

Together, they reveal how resilience, determination and targeted resource and innovation carried British sailors from the days of amateur campaigns to consistent podium-topping performances.

They also highlight the importance of investment, pathways for young talent and why sailing’s place at the heart of the Olympic movement matters to the wider sport.

In our next episode…

Episode 2 – Racing the future. Britain’s modern Olympic sailing champions

What does it take to reach the very top – and stay there?

In this inspiring episode, three of Britain’s finest sailors from recent Games reflect on their journeys to Olympic and Paralympic gold, the challenges along the way and the legacy they’re building for the next generation.

Available from Tuesday 30 September