Rate it!

0 votes

Olympic windsurfing medallist Bryony Shaw has said claiming silver at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta avenged missing out on the podium at the World Championships.

The 26-year-old had high hopes on home soil in Weymouth after claiming bronze at the European Championships in Israel nine months after collecting the same colour at the Olympics in Beijing.

However not all went to plan for Shaw and despite picking up her best World Championship finish of sixth she was left with her head in her hands.

Shaw ensured that was not the case upon her return to Weymouth for the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, climbing the podium in second after a lack of wind prevented the medal race taking place.

World silver medallist Blanca Manchon took gold after five days of racing at the London 2012 Olympic venue and Shaw admitted she can finally rest easy after banishing her World Championship demons.

"It's been a good week and good to build my confidence again after missing out on a medal at the World Championships," said Shaw.

"I had some good speed over the week and was able to keep a clear head and keep things simple which was a good confidence boost.

"To finish sixth at the Worlds was good, it's my highest result there, but I had higher expectations for myself.

"The fact that I have been close to the podium I think I was gearing myself up for a good battle but there was quite a bit that went wrong and I just have to move on from it.

"I was hoping to end the season on a high at the Sail for Gold Regatta it was a great opportunity to race at a good standard.

"You can train and try and gauge your own speed but there is nothing better than racing, especially with the level there was."

Shaw has been playing catch-up this year after taking a six-month break after the Olympics but will jet off to Miami in January to make sure that does not happen in 2010.

The Oxford sailor said she has learnt a lot about herself over the past 12 months and has vowed not rest on her laurels again as the London 2012 Olympics draw ever closer.

"I will be heading to Miami in January for some warm weather training and I need to focus on my speed and on kit testing, as well as some longer-term goals," added Shaw.

"The Olympics are less than three years away and I have learnt a lot this season - the fact that I can bounce back from disappointing results shows that I am quite a gritty competitor."

More than the Games / Eurosport