Brits backing teamwork

British sailor Pippa Wilson says the superior teamwork between her and the rest of the Yngling crew will prove to be the difference in them grabbing an Olympic gold.

At 22 Wilson is the youngest member of a strong British sailing team which hopes to top the charts at the Olympic regatta.

Wilson replaces Shirley Robertson in the Yngling boat containing Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb that won Olympic gold in Athens four years ago.

The youngster has been adapted superbly well after being drafted in late in 2006 though, winning successive World Championships, a European title and also the Olympic test event in Qingdao last year.

Fit

Not taking anything for granted, the threesome are extremely confident of success though, and Wilson says their teamwork within the boat is the main reason.

"We're a great fit together," Wilson said.

"Since the beginning, we've really gelled as a team and worked on that and really just tried to push each on everything that we do.

"We share the same values, we work hard and we also have a good time.

"Sarah and Sarah are amazing people to share the experience with and I couldn't ask for better team-mates.

"We've put an amazing programme together for what we think is the best programme for racing in China and I'm just really, really excited to get out there out on the race track tomorrow and see what we can do."

Responsibility

Coach Paul Brotherton says Wilson's confidence in her role, despite her young age, has meant that both Ayton and Webb can relax and concentrate on their own jobs.

"Pippa has solidified the team completely," he explained.

"I think that the other two were always trying to do their jobs plus half or a third of another job whereas Pippa has come on and taken complete responsibility for that third role which meant that the other two could just concentrate completely on doing their job.

"Obviously that means that they get better and more confident at doing their one thing and in the usual fashion with any great team, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

"There's a good dynamic. No one's afraid to put their hand up when they're struggling and they always get support.

"Having the confidence in the support and in the team is a very powerful position to be in especially when you're going into a pressurised situation like the Olympic Games and as a coach, it's a dream team."