Voice of sailing backs Percy and Simpson's bid for Olympic gold

THE VOICE of the BBC's Olympic sailing coverage Leigh McMillan believes Emsworth's Iain Percy is in with a fine chance of claiming Olympic gold in Weymouth.

The two-time Olympian, who will co-commentate for the BBC at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for the duration of the sailing event, is convinced 36-year-old Percy and Star-class partner Andrew Simpson can top the podium.

The duo claimed a dramatic gold in Beijing four years ago to go with Percy’s earlier individual gold in Sydney in the Finn class.

McMillan, who sailed on the now defunct Olympic catamaran tornado class at Athens in 2004 and Beijing four years ago, said: “Percy and Simpson will be right up there hunting gold.

“They’re the reigning champions and are still right up there in the top three consistently in the mix.

“It is a very competitive class and they will have a big battle on their hands because the star class has some incredible talent competing in it. But there is no doubt that Percy and Simpson are very strong.”

McMillan was speaking as he took part in the 81st JP Morgan Asset Management Round The Island Race, a 53-mile sail around the Isle of Wight that attracted 16,000 sailors.