Please select your home edition
Edition
GP Watercraft

Brits philosophical after OCS disappointment

by Mark Jardine & Andi Robertson 8 Aug 2024 13:07 BST 8 August 2024
John Gimson and Anna Burnet (GBR) OCS in the Mixed Multihull Medal Race at Paris2024 on August 8, 2024 in Marseille, France © World Sailing / Lloyd Images

Going into the Mixed Multihull Medal Race in the bronze medal position, albeit tied with the Kiwis on points, was a strong position for Great Britain's John Gimson and Anna Burnet, but being over the start line, and not returning, dashed any chances of a medal.

The couple, while disappointed, refused to be downcast and focused on the positives of their campaign and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"We were over at the line at the start. We didn't think we were so we carried on with the race. We made one small error at the start but it's been a great Olympics, a really great campaign," said Anna Burnett.

John Gimson added, "I'd say the OCS is probably the most brutal way to lose because it's so out of our control.

"I'm so proud of this week, how we sailed. We knew it would be a hard venue and we chipped away in every race and got ourselves to where we wanted. I felt so in control of ourselves going into that start, what the plan was, where the Kiwis were. We made one mistake and it's cost us another Olympic medal so you can imagine what we're going through."

"In that moment, it's devastating. It's a bad dream." remarked Anna, "but we're proud of all we've done. We've been on the podium at every single regatta this campaign. That's sport - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We sailed really well.

"Obviously massive congratulations to the Italians, the Argentinians and the Kiwis and thanks so much to everyone who's got us here, Iain Percy, it's been tough for him too. Thanks to the National Lottery. Thank you to everyone. What a journey. We did our best."

She concluded with thoughts on the future, "Obviously, there's no-one I'd rather be here with on this whole journey, and we're so, so lucky that we get to do this together. The highs and lows we're riding together. There's life and there's sport and in this moment, I suppose, life and sport are a little bit separate to us. The sport's more brutal but life goes on and we'll get married and, you know, life will be great."

Related Articles

The engine room
Without them we are lost. This is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick. Without them we are lost. This is not about the tiny little room under the companionway stairs. Rather, it is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick.Yes. The rags. Only, they are anything but for wiping up spills. They are supreme tech. Posted on 9 Feb
SailGP: Controversial Call? Late Umpire Decision?
Arguably the most contentious moment of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix provided us with thrilling racing, but arguably the most contentious moment was when the Australian SailGP Team were awarded a penalty in the pre-start when they were luffed by the Canadian NorthStar SailGP Team. Posted on 9 Feb
Slingsby's SailGP Starting Masterclass
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Analysis Day 1 Video Analysis The reaching starts in SailGP make for entertaining viewing and, with just 400 metres until the first mark bear away, they are often critical to a race result. Posted on 8 Feb
J/40 Boat Tour at boot Düsseldorf
Mark Jardine looks at the yacht with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com took a tour around the J/40 during boot Düsseldorf 2025 with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites. Posted on 7 Feb
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight provided it If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight has provided it. We've seen the whole spectrum of goings on, from the superb in the Vendée Globe, to the baffling with the British America's Cup team. Posted on 4 Feb
Freight Train Running
Checking in with Cole Brauer and ZaZa Tucker in the Southern Ocean Back at the beginning of November 2024 in 'When diminutive is massive' we warned fellow mariners in the Atlantic and Southern Oceans, then the Tasman Sea that First Light may resemble more of a freight train on her delivery to Australia than a Class 40. Posted on 27 Jan
Small boats at boot Düsseldorf!
Mark Jardine took a look around Hall 15 to see what he could find... Hall 15 at boot Düsseldorf has some really interesting small boats, so Mark Jardine took a look around to see what he could find... Posted on 24 Jan
So much more than records and statistics
The way the Vendée Globe record was demolished was astounding The way the Vendée Globe record was demolished was astounding. Armel Le Cléac'h's mark of 74 days, 3 hours, 36 minutes had stood for eight years, with the 2020-21 winner of the race, Yannick Bestaven, taking just over 6 days longer to complete the course. Posted on 22 Jan
XR 41 World Premiere at boot Düsseldorf 2025
X-Yachts CEO Kræn B. Nielsen presides over the big reveal The XR 41 is one of the most exciting race yachts for 2025, and we were at the World Premiere on Saturday 18th January at boot Düsseldorf. Posted on 18 Jan
Safety first (like DRRR)
Safety first was definitely the first rule of the sea, as explained to me when I was young Safety first was definitely the first rule of the sea, as explained to me when I was young. You know, one hand for you, one hand for the boat, and so forth. Nothing has changed, but what of the regulations surrounding it all? Posted on 12 Jan