Talent supply keeps Britain ruling the waves

By Justin Palmer

QINGDAO (Reuters) - Britain's ability to produce sailors who leave no stone unturned to win Olympic gold is shown by their domination of Games regattas, the team chief said.

Britain, hosts of the 2012 Games, won four golds, a silver and bronze in the 11 events sailed in Qingdao, finishing as the leading sailing nation for the third successive Games.

"The secret of our success is people, first and foremost," Royal Yachting Association Olympic manager Stephen Park told a news conference on Friday.

"We have a group of very talented sailors who are driven to ensure they leave no stone unturned in the quest for Olympic gold medals.

"Those sailors are supported by a great group of coaches and support staff to help them fulfil their potential."

Britain's sailing team return home with their best Olympic medal haul for 100 years, surpassing the five medals won at both Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and matching the achievements of the British sailing team at the 1908 London Games.

The six medals easily surpassed Park's target of four from the Qingdao regatta, deliberately set low because of the unpredictable wind conditions in Fushan Bay.

Star sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson became Britain's fourth gold medallists on Thursday, the final day of the regatta, adding to the titles won by Ben Ainslie (Finn), Yngling trio Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson and Laser sailor Paul Goodison.