ANNA BURNET had admitted she was nervous ahead of her first Olympics appearance. She needn’t have been.
Paired with John Gimson in the Nacra 17 class, the sailor from Shandon showed she could more than hold her own at this level as the Team GB duo gained a deserved silver medal behind the Italian champions.
Burnet and Gimson finished fifth in the decisive medal race – Argentina clinched it, with Denmark second and the Americans third – but the 2020 world champions’ consistent performances over the week on the waters at Enoshima saw them ascend to the second step of the podium.
It was a proud moment for Burnet, who grew up overlooking the Gare Loch and learned to sail at the nearby Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club in Rhu.
“It's amazing,” she said when safely back on dry land. “The team's had such an incredible day. Seeing the 49er boys win gold before we went out, John found it a bit stressful I think with all of the emotion but I found it hugely inspiring and I'm so happy we're part of this team, which is performing so well.
"I just feel like John's someone who's the most deserving of an Olympic medal of anyone I've ever known. He's put so much work into this for so long. To help him achieve that, I'm just so happy."
Burnet had previously told Herald and Times Sport why teaming up with Gimson – a decade her senior at 38 years old – was such a pivotal moment.
“I was obsessed with sport when I was younger and always dreamed of going to the Olympics with a chance of winning a medal,” she said.
“It’s probably only been in the last few years where it felt like it was really achievable. When I left university in 2013 I went full-time sailing but it almost seemed a bit far-fetched at times to think I could get to the Olympics. I had so much to learn and needed to find the right team-mate and all the rest of it.
“But since I teamed up with John to aim for Tokyo it’s started to feel more like a realistic goal. It’s a partnership that has just clicked.”
Gimson, from Congleton, added: “It's been worth every minute but most importantly I've done it for 20 years to get here.
"An unbelievable amount of people have helped me along the way and just for them, to say thank you, I'm glad we did it. It would have been gutting to come and not go through with it.
"A lot of people have volunteered their time and money and invested in us heavily so I'm just so happy we've followed through for them.”
Sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris congratulated the duo on their success: “Scotland has a proud tradition of successful sailors on Team GB and it’s terrific to see Anna Burnet join that illustrious list.
“To be selected to compete at an Olympic Games is a huge achievement, but to win a silver medal is very special. Congratulations to Anna, her partner John Gimson and the whole Scottish and British sailing family.”
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