In this in-depth interview British Sailing Team Windsurfer Sam Sills talks about his pride and overwhelming sense of privilege having just taken part in the greatest sporting show on earth. The Paris Olympics 2024!
Ten years in the making, this powerhouse of an athelete lets me delve into his deepest thoughts on what makes an Olympian! Intriguing, insightful and full of passion this is a raw, honest and fascinating interview into the real grit of making it to the top of your game! Sam Sills In a league of his own!
Here at The Official Test Centre we are so proud to teach watersports in the same waters that the Olympians and The British Sailing Team train.
By Emma Nicholson.
How does it feel to have competed at an Olympics?
Sam said: "It is quite surreal I would say it is quite a deep sense of achievement. I would say or exhaustion as well partially, it was a long long long long long training camp to get there, about four years worth, but overall I would say achievement, elation, tiredness and happiness."
What did it feel like when you were crossing the start line were you full of adrenaline was that one of the best moments of your life?
Sam said: "No The first race of the Olympics was not one of the best momemts of my life as I was dead last and then I fell in not one of the best moments of my life, however, when I got to the quarter finals I was ready and good then that was pretty fun the finals day was definetly one of the best moments of my racing life ever for sure!"
Will you compete in the next Olympics?
Sam said: "You never know if you will qualify and make it but yes I will put together a campaign for LA yes that is the plan."
When you finished the medal race you looked ecsatic so happy the images of you with your family and friends were just iconic just an outpouring of emotions what was that like for you?
Sam said: "It was a real mix of feelings, 50% was oh my gawd I was so close to a medal and can't believe this happened and I was so far away. I had to take myself off for five minutes after the race and let it all out and then compose myself and then try and come back and enjoy the moment. The other 50% was just pure happiness taking it all in and enjoying the moment because they are so rare and possibly happens once in your life so I was going to enjoy it, it was absolute explosion of relief and happiness and elation and seeing my family and freinds and everyone there and my sponsors Holiday Extras that was absolutely amazing."
All the young people that you inspire who have watched your Olympic journey will be so looking forward to speaking to you, how does it make you feel to be a role model to them and so incredibly inspiring?
Sam said: "I have been away from the UK since November, so I haven't had the chance to see many of the youth sailors and speak with them, fills me with joy to hear that I can inspire the younger generation and people. That is what the Olympics is all about. That is amazing and looking forward to having those conversations with the younger sailors and in the boat park. Maybe we can do something together to get everyone in one place and say some words. If they are reading this, They are welcome to send me any messages if they have any questions about windsurfing, it is an open offer to any of the youth sailors to have that."
What are your plans now you are back in the UK?
Sam said: "Recover, recover, recover, lots of sports, lots of sleep, put together a campaign for LA, enjoy being healthy, do lots of exercise and make a good plan for the next four years! I should have a holiday at some stage, but I didn't have time to organise one, so at the moment I am back in Cornwall, got a few weddings coming up and I will try and move to Majorca for the winter as well and base myself there as well, so got some nice things lined up."
What was your favourite memory from the Olympics?
Sam said: "Has to be the quarter finals, that race has to be the race of my life, I spent so much time preparing and setting up my equipment, understanding the wind, more than 100 days sailing in Marseille from April the 15th until the games. I didn't leave, I only went back to the UK once and all of it came through in that one downwind and second up wind. where I just knew where the opportunities were to get back in the race when I was a bit behind. That was an amazing feeling to have put so much work into something and then be able to use it in the moment when it matters that meant everything to me, that was just the most amazing moment and I am so proud that I was able to do that and huge thanks to Holiday Extras to be able to do that, that was probably the most amazing moment."
You have competed in an Olympics and made your dreams come true, what advice would you give to any young person who would like to take part in the olympics one day?
Sam said: "I would say be prepared for a long journey, sailing is a sport I have experienced, it takes a long time to build up, so you got to have the mindset that it could be a really long road this took me ten years from when I left university, it is a big part of your adult life, secondly I would say you have to enjoy it! If you don't enjoy it and you don't enjoy the pressure, the challenge, the racing then do something else otherwise it is too hard. I would say try to shortcut your journey aswell if you can try to learn from the best, try to figure out what things improve your sailing the most and be thorough about how you learn and try to get better , it is all about getting the support and to get to the olympics it is all about getting results and if you get good results you will get good support that will push you to the front and get you to perform at the Olympics. You have got to go for it . basically and be ready to go for it for a really long time too. You have to love it ."
Did you have any pinch me moments at the Olympics for example when you met a hero?
Sam said: "I had some really negative pinch me moments when I was 10 days away from the Olympics and I hit a fishing net full speed and broke every single part of my gear, apart from one or two pieces. That was a pinch me moment when I thought has this really happened! Another pinch me moment was when after Race 1 and I was in last place and figure out how to get back, that was a time I needed to pinch myself. A good pinch me moment was finals day when I was an Olympic finalist for two days that was incredible and then standing on the beach, standing there having done it and finishing almost took a medal in fifth place that was a pinch me moment. The closing ceremony at the stad de france with the fireworks going off and then Tom Cruise jumping off the roof that was definetly a pinch me moment and in the Olympic village there was certain moments that were quite special when you are brushing shoulders with superstars all day long that is quite surreal. I mean it still doesn't beat hanging out with your people that have been on your journey living that moment, bit it is still a nice part of the whole experince."
You have so much support from everyone in the uk, how does it feel to be part of a group of Olympians a very select group of people? What do you think makes an Olympian? For example the sacrifices and the training?
Sam said: "It feels amazing to put so much work into something and then for it all to come out in a positive way it doesn't happen for everyone. It is tough. really tough. There are many other athletes that could have been there as well had they had their day and the events had gone their way. I feel priviledged to have been able to do that and to be able to have experienced it and it is so rare. Very very priviledged and lucky and proud.
"I think the differences between the guys at the top, the guys in the middle and the guys at the back, the guys at the top are mentally so strong, takes a lot for them to crack, a lot for them to give up and if you push them, they get better, I think that is what makes the difference. That mentality to do whatever it takes to get there to find solutions when it is going wrong and to not give up, that is what I have noticed at the Olympics that is the difference, you are standing there amongst these absolute animals of atheletes. That will do anything it takes to try and win. That was special.
"To be an Olympian you have to love the training, love the lifestlye, the way of living, it is a strange existance, very rewarding, you are in the moment everyday and you are super healthy most of the time, it is a special way of living, that is a big part of it, I would say the big difference is in the mind and the way you approach challenge and adversity."
If Sam has inspired you to try windsurfing why not book in for a windsurfing taster with us at The Official Test Centre, call the centre on 07817 717904 and our friendly team will help you step on board!
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