Rogers and Green end 470 sailing campaign
by Lindsey Bell, RYA 11 Jul 2010 07:41 PDT
Nick Rogers and Pom Green end their 470 sailing campaign © Richard Langdon / Skandia Team GBR
Sailing's double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers has decided to let go of his quest for Olympic gold at London 2012 following a frustrating regatta season.
Rogers teamed up with his current crew and best friend Pom Green in the 470
class after the Beijing Games, where he earned his second silver medal.
Rogers and Green, who won the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships together in 1995, have called time on their 2012 qualifying campaign and will not join their Skandia Team GBR teammates at the 470 World Championships, starting in The Hague (NED) on Monday (12 July).
Says Rogers of their decision: "We've both worked incredibly hard this year
but juggling responsibilities that we didn't have in our twenties has made
it harder to dedicate the time required. Our goal was gold but it's just too
much of a tall order in the time we have."
"It's been a great experience: a pleasure to sail with Nick and to work with
the Skandia Team GBR staff whose expertise and commitment is a huge reason
why the team is so successful," says Green. "It's the end of an era for Nick
and disappointing for me too but we both feel that to be successful in other
areas of our lives something had to give."
Rogers is now looking forward to using his talent and experience to help
other gifted dinghy sailors and to work on other competitive sailing
projects, while Green will return to his yacht construction business.
"We're best friends and it's been fantastic sailing with Pom again," Rogers
added. "He's brought a lot of experience and insight to the campaign."
RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park said: "It's disappointing to be losing
Nick and Pom from the programme - especially as Nick's experience and lively
personality have been a big part of Skandia Team GBR for such a long time
now.
"But Olympic classes sailing is a punishing game, and I understand and
respect the decision that they have come to after what's been a frustrating
season for them.
"Although we'd much rather have Nick involved in the squad, there is some
pleasure in having someone who's grown and developed through the RYA's
talent pathway - from junior level right through to the Olympic podium - now
looking to make his way in the professional world of big boat sailing."