Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Great Scott returns as British sailors descend on Tokyo 2020 venue

by British Sailing Team Media 10 Sep 2018 10:42 BST 11-16 September 2018
Giles Scott © Lloyd Images

Rio 2016 gold medallist Giles Scott will make his return to the Olympic circuit following a four-month hiatus as the World Cup Series heads to the Tokyo 2020 venue of Enoshima for the first time.

Scott will be among a 38-strong British Sailing Team contingent to take on the world's best when racing begins on the waters that will host the next Olympic Games on Tuesday, September 11.

The 31-year-old has only competed in three international regattas in his Finn dinghy since winning an historic gold at Rio 2016, largely due to his commitments with Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team.

However he has claimed the spoils in all three events – 2017's Enoshima Olympic Week, World Cup Series Miami in early 2018 and Palma's Princess Sofia Trophy in April.

In fact, Scott has only missed the top spot twice in 22 regattas so far this Olympic cycle – and even then he finished second on both occasions.

Scott will begin WCS Enoshima among the podium favourites in a tight fleet packed with world and European champions.

"I'm excited about getting back into the Finn, especially in Japan," Scott said. "We will see how it all goes here, but it's a bit of a different one for me as I've not done too much sailing towards the back end of this year. However I'm enjoying being back with the team and back in my Finn."

Joining Scott on the Finn class start line will be reigning European champion Ed Wright and world number 12 Ben Cornish, both of whom will be looking to make their marks after frustrating results at the recent Sailing World Championships.

Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre will be out to improve on their world championship bronze in the women's 470, while in the 49er FX Sophie Weguelin and Sophie Ainsworth will attempt to maintain their run of form which has seen the scoop bronze at the European and world championships.

In the 49er, Britain's pairings of James Peters/Fynn Sterritt and Dylan Fletcher/Stuart Bithell will both be seeking medals after finishing fifth and sixth at the Saliing World Championships.

For Peters and Sterritt, it will only be their second major regatta since returning from an enforced injury break.

"This regatta is another opportunity for us to get a good result," Peters said. "We feel we sailed well at the world championships and came away with a fifth but really it's about winning medals. With Fynn fit again we feel we can now really move the campaign forward."

Podium places will also be in the crosshairs of young windsurfers Emma Wilson and Kieran Holmes-Martin.

Wilson, 19, recently scooped bronze at the RS:X class Europeans following a fourth at the world championships, while Holmes-Martin also just missed out on a worlds medal finishing fourth.

With less than two years to go until Tokyo 2020, WCS Enoshima is a vital opportunity to test performance at a venue characterised by rolling ocean swells.

While the lead-up to the event has seen strong winds, the forecast is for an opening day breeze of between 13 and 16 knots dropping to between six and ten knots as the week progresses.

World Cup Series Enoshima takes place from September 11 to 16, with medals decided on the last two days of competition.

Follow all the action on the British Sailing Team's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and post your messages to the team using the hashtag #rulethewaves.

The medal races will be streamed live at britishsailingteam.com, and don't miss our daily Top Tekkers features in which sailing expert Mark Chisnell picks apart British Sailing Team athletes' secrets to success.

Related Articles

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Princess Sofia Trophy marks start of LA 2028 cycle
British Sailing Team ready for 54th edition of this prestigious regatta The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta will take place in Palma, Mallorca. This year there are four sites making up the event: Arenal (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, 470), Ca'n Pastilla (ILCA 6 and 7), Portixol (iQFOiL) and Playa de Palma beach (Formula Kite). Posted on 27 Mar
Medals aplenty in Cadiz
British Sailing Team picked up silverware at the second round of the iQFOiL Games There was a flurry of medals for the British Sailing Team this weekend in the build-up to the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta, the historic season opener. Posted on 17 Mar
Wilson and Watson bring home iQFOiL Games spoils
Gold and bronze for British pair Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, as teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze. Posted on 3 Feb
Emma Wilson launches LA 2028 campaign in Lanzarote
The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on Wednesday The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary Island of Lanzarote on Wednesday January 29 and concludes on Sunday February 2. Posted on 28 Jan
Ellie Aldridge made MBE in New Year's Honours
Following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at Paris 2024 Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Aldridge shortlisted for World Sailor of the Year
After becoming the first ever Formula Kite gold medallist in Marseille Team GB's history-making athlete Ellie Aldridge has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year award. Posted on 21 Oct 2024
Olympian raises £18k by raffling Paris 2024 boat
All the £18,053 raised will go to the Andrew Simpson Foundation Olympic sailor Micky Beckett has raised over £18,000 to help kids get on the water by raffling the boat he raced at Paris 2024. Posted on 14 Oct 2024
Brown and Barton rule the waves in Cagliari
Silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL Europeans It was double delight for Brits Andy Brown and Matt Barton as they scooped silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL European Championships. Posted on 12 Oct 2024
iQFOiL Euros kickstart LA cycle for Brits
GBR windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari The British Sailing Team's windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari, with six female athletes and five male athletes competing. Posted on 3 Oct 2024