My Best Olympic Race - Nathan Outteridge, Race #15 London 2012

A small British pub, The Cove House Inn, was transformed into a little piece of Australia at London 2012 and turned into the focal point for the nation’s most successful sport at the Olympiad.

Australian sport, in general, suffered at London 2012. The Australian Olympic Team hauled in 35 medals, their lowest since Barcelona 1992. They only won seven gold medals. But as the swimmers, rowers and cyclists suffered, the sailors flourished, winning three of the seven in Weymouth and Portland.

Records were created as Malcolm Page became the first Australian sailor to win two gold medals, demons vanquished as Tom Slingsby overcame his Beijing 2008 nightmare and heroes born when Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen stormed to a memorable win.

At the heart of the Australian Sailing Team was the Cove House Inn which, as their website says, is a ‘Pub at Chesil in Portland and offers a friendly, cosy atmosphere with the most spectacular views Portland can offer.”

This special atmosphere helped them to London 2012 Olympic gold and Outteridge looks back on his best so far!