 |
| © Francois Richard |
Anna Tunnicliffe has been a quiet but dominant presence in the Laser Radial fleet for some time and set out in pursuit of her Olympic dream four years ago. Her determination and discipline has seen her pick up medals from four ISAF Grade 1 events in 2008 and seen her top the ISAF World Sailing Rankings for more than half of the nomination period.
TUNNICLIFFE’s consistency was the key to her success at the Olympic Sailing Competition and with only one race finish lower than sixth she was in great shape to claim her first Olympic medal after the opening series. One of TUNNICLIFFE’s great strengths is her ability to read the wind shifts and shine under pressure, which she demonstrated to perfection to pull off a magnificent comeback in the Laser Radial Medal Race.
Challenging for the gold medal were two other sailors and a poor start for TUNNICLIFFE saw her back in ninth place at the start of the second lap with her dreams of glory over. TUNNICLIFFE was not giving up without a fight and read the shifts perfectly to battle her way back through the fleet to third by the final mark. With the wind decreasing on the final leg, the fleet compressed but TUNNICLIFFE fought on, finished the race in second place and clinched her first Olympic gold medal.
4 - US Women's Match Racing Championship, Detroit, USA - ISAF Grade 3 - Sep 2007 (Match Racing)
6 - Rolex Osprey Cup, St Petersburg, USA - ISAF Grade 1 - Oct 2007 (Match Racing)
9 - Sail Melbourne International Regatta, Melbourne, AUS - ISAF Grade C1 - Jan 2008
2 - Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA - ISAF Grade 1 - Jan 2008
3 - Sail Auckland, Auckland, NZL - ISAF Grade 1 - Feb 2008
6 - Laser Radial Women’s World Championship, Auckland, NZL - ISAF Grade W - Mar 2008
2 - Semaine Olympique Française, Hyères, FRA - ISAF Grade 1 - Apr 2008
1 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, NED - ISAF Grade 1 - May 08
14 - Kiel Week, Kiel, GER - ISAF Grade 1 - Jun 2008
1 - 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade W - Aug 2008
ISAF World Sailing Rankings position at the end of the nomination period (3 Sep 2008) – # 1
ISAF World Sailing Rankings # 1 from 3 October to 19 December 2007 and 9 April to 3 September 2008
| Name |
Anna TUNNICLIFFE |
| Place of birth |
Doncaster, Great Britain |
| Date of birth |
17 October 1982 |
| Profession |
Sailor |
| ISAF Sailor ID |
USAAT1 |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
I was made to learn how to sail, but started to race when I moved to the USA and joined my yacht club |
| What was the first boat you sailed and how old were you? |
The first time I remember sailing was in a Mirror when I was 3 years old |
| Name your first sailing club |
Royal Northumberland YC or Rutland SC |
| What was the first event you competed in and in what year? |
Inland Optimist Nationals at Rutland SC…1994 |
| What are your personal highlights of your career to date? |
Winning the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in the Laser Radial
Winning the US Olympic Trials
1st Delta Lloyd Regatta
|
| What are your future sailing goals? |
London 2012, and the America’s Cup |
| Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why? |
My coaches Mitch BRINDLEY and Luther CARPENTER because they brought me to where I am today. Also my husband Brad FUNK because he got me into the International sailing scene and trained with me leading into the Games. |
| Who is your sailing hero? |
Robert SCHEIDT |
| What other sports do you enjoy? |
Running and Triathlons |
| What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you? |
It’s a great honour. To be nominated by my peers alone is amazing, but then to be in the final few for selection is truly great. To be on a list with these amazing sailors is phenomenal. |
| If you were voted as the winner what would this mean to you? |
Wow!! It would truly be an honour. The list has so many amazing sailors on it and to be amongst that company would put me on top of the world. |
|
|
|
