Dundee’s Peter Walker insists the future of British sailing is bright as a batch of talented youngsters tries to emulate the huge success of their predecessors.
Team GB won five sailing medals at the London 2012 Olympics and Walker, who is head coach for the National Youth Laser Squad, is adamant that the new breed can produce just as spectacular results.
The 35-year-old was a talented Laser sailor but moved into coaching after missing out on qualification for the 2004 Olympics.
Walker insists that the next generation, which includes the likes of World u21 champion Lorenzo Chiavarini, are set to make their mark.
“We’re getting some good results from the guys and their delivery which is great for the pathway,” he said. “The big challenge now is the next group.
“Ultimately they’re putting in all the sacrifices and it’s about making their journey work and that’s really satisfying when it does work.
“The guys are in good shape and hopefully they will either be attending Rio or be a really good training partner for Nick Thompson who’s in our class.
“Ultimately they need that experience in Rio to deliver in Tokyo after that.
“I’ve got a great squad of guys who work really well together but if you’re talking about the person who had the best results in the year, that’s simple and that’s Lorenzo and that’s just the numbers game.”
Walker was speaking at the UK Coaching Awards, supported by Gillette, at the Glasgow City Chambers after being named performance development coach of the year.
The awards celebrate outstanding successes and achievements of some of the UK’s top coaches from a variety of different standards and sporting disciplines.