Lymington Olympians.
Lymington has had an impressive number of Olympic sailors over the years.
As one climbs the stairway at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club (RLymYC), a fantastic roll of honour meets the eye: the Olympic roll of honour. The RLymYC has an impressive number of members who have been selected to represent Great Britain. This summer, Lymington's Nick Thompson will be representing Great Britain in the Laser class.
Lymington's most famous Olympian is undoubtedly Sir Ben Ainslie CBE, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, Ainslie has won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 –2012, including gold at the last four. He is the first person to win medals in five different Olympic Games in sailing, the third person to win five Olympic medals in that sport and also the second to win four gold medals.
Nick Rogers competed in the two-hander 470 class with Joe Glanfield in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. The duo achieved silver medals at Athens in 2004 and at Beijing in 2008, having been pipped into 4th place in Sydney in 2000.
Lymington's Pippa Wilson achieved Gold in the Yngling class in Beijing, with Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton.
Legendary local Olympians are twin brothers Stuart and Ado Jardine. Ado sailed in three Olympics in the sixties winning a bronze medal at Mexico 1968. Stuart competed in the Star in Mexico 1968 and at Munich 1972. Stuart continues to be a highly competitive sailor in the XOD class.
Other Olympians include Lymington Mayor, Barry Dunning, who competed in the Soling class in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, and previous RLymYC Club Commodore, Phil Lawrence.
Many of the local British Sailing team and ex-Olympians can be found regularly coaching and inspiring Lymington's young fleets of sailors... hopefully ensuring that Lymington continues to hold its strong position at the forefront of Olympic and World Championship sailing...
Pictures: Royal Lymington Yacht Club
