Volvo

Reigning World and Olympic Champion Paul Goodison has admitted he is looking for ‘payback’ as he begins his defence of sailing’s Laser world title on UK waters from Monday (30 August). Goodison will be aiming for a second consecutive Worlds victory at Hayling Island this week, while his Skandia Team GBR teammate Nick Dempsey will also be panning for World Championship gold overseas at the RS:X Windsurfing Worlds in Denmark.

For Laser star Goodison, 2009 was an exceptional year in which he remained unbeaten in five consecutive events, including a first world title win and a fifth straight European Championship crown. But after missing out on the top prize at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth and Portland earlier this month to Australia’s Tom Slingsby, Goodison is as determined as ever to retain his World Champion status. “Sail for Gold was the big one for me this year but having not achieved my goal of winning that regatta the Worlds is definitely an opportunity for payback time, I want to get my own back.  I was disappointed and frustrated with my result at Sail for Gold, it came down to a couple of decisions and there was one day in particular when I didn’t start as well as I could have done and been as positive as I could have been but I was pleased with how I came back from that.”

In Kerteminde, Denmark, Nick Dempsey will this week look to defend the RS:X Windsurfing World Championship title he won in his home town of Weymouth 12 months ago when racing starts on Sunday (29 August) “To be World Champion is right up there,” said Dempsey of his 2009 Worlds victory. I hadn’t won it before and last year I was desperate to win – it was the right time and it meant a hell of a lot,” he explained. 

A disappointing medal race which led to bronze at Skandia Sail for Gold also means that Dempsey arrives at the World Championships eager to retain his crown, although he admits a second straight world title win would be no mean feat in the 120-strong men’s fleet.

“Everyone is getting better, everyone is getting faster and fitter, with better technique, they are learning to race better. The younger kids are starting to do well. It is getting harder and harder,” he explained.