- 22 Aug 08, 11:11 AM
Qingdao. Over and out.
What an epic two weeks it's been here on the coast. I have never experienced anything so exhilarating. It's been a privilege.
The British sailors came here with a big reputation. They lived up to the billing and then some. Four golds, a silver and a bronze - six medals from 11 events. You couldn't ask for more.
On Thursday it was the turn of Iain Percy and Andrew 'Bart' Simpson in the Star class. An amazing finish and the boys just did enough to win. Shirley and I were so excited we almost jumped in!
That was Percy's second gold after he romped away in the Finn title in Sydney, but when I interviewed him afterwards it was clear this one meant more. He and Bart have been mates for 25 years and both were almost in tears. I've said this before but to get in so close on such a moment in someone's life is an honour.
It doesn't matter if you've never been sailing or if you never normally watch sport. The dedication is inspirational. These Olympians have spent four, five or six years of their lives for the chance to live out their dreams in the greatest sporting show on earth. For those of us watching, from two feet or 2,000 miles away, it's spellbinding.
Some of the interviewing has actually taken me by surprise. When Bryony Shaw got in our rib just after nailing a great bronze in the RS:X windsurfing, I was obviously expecting joy, but not quite the outpouring of emotion she produced! First question and she started wailing. It was crying and laughing all at the same time. Amazing to see but not easy to get anything else out of someone in that state!
Accidental swearing has also come into play this week as well! Bryony let one slip and so too did Iain on Thursday. As you're asking the questions, you just don't expect to hear that. It took me a few seconds with Bryony to actually realise what she'd said! Still bearing in mind what they'd achieved, I doubt anyone was offended back home. I certainly saw the funny side.
Last night there were some serious celebrations going on. We went to a bar in our hotel with the team. Having not been out for the whole Games and with such an amazing climax to the regatta, everyone was ready to let off some serious steam. Sparky's (team manager Stephen Park) speech came first and he made the very important point that the team's achievements had ensured the best possible Lottery funding for the next generation of British sailors.
After that the band started and the rest is history. It was great to see them all letting their hair down after what must have been an exhausting campaign. They are such a welcoming group of sportsmen and women, they really have made our job easy out here.
In one of our live hits out on the water on Thursday I think I said we should all be proud of what these sailors have done. It's not just what they've won but the manner in which they've won it. True sportsmanship and a sense of fun as well.
Talking to them last night, my instinct is that most will carry on for Weymouth 2012. It's just too good a prize not to.
From a personal perspective, it's been the most exciting two weeks of my career. Until this year, I had never worked on sailing and I was a bit nervous coming out to China. But once I'd done a bit of homework and realised the guys were such a good bunch to work with, it was game on.
One of the things I was really keen on was breaking the stereotyped view of sailors. A lot of people seem to think it's pink shirts, collars up and Pimms. That's just so out-of-date. There are a whole range of characters on this team and every single one of them has worked hard and made huge sacrifices to be here.
With their achievements here in Qingdao, hopefully a few more people will recognise that.
So that's it from the south coast of China. I have run out of superlatives to describe the enjoyment and gratitude of being here. Two days of beers and dancing and then home. First stop my local caff for a fry up. You just can't get good egg and bacon sarnies here!
See you in Weymouth.
About this blog
Links to the blogs of all the contributors can be found below.
Subscribe to BBC Sport: Olympics blog
You can stay up to date with BBC Sport: Olympics blog via these feeds.
BBC Sport: Olympics blog Feed(RSS)
BBC Sport: Olympics blog Feed(ATOM)
If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful.
Olympics headlines
Visit the BBC Sport website
Visit the Olympics index
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
great stuff on the waves by team gb!!
Rob Walker = Hero
Somebody give that guy a promotion, i want to see him on all sports!
Complain about this comment
For anyone who has been interested enough in the sailing to think about taking it up click on the attached link to find out more.
http://www.ryatraining.org/leisure/dinghymultikeel/Pages/dinghiesmultihullskeelboatsintro.aspx
Maybe you could be a medallist in 2016 or 2020.
Complain about this comment
I went to school with Rob Walker, he used to do running races with my elder brother.
He was a motormouth back then, too, but it's great to see him on the telly and he's doing a fine job.
Keep up the good work, Rob. The new Gary Richardson!
Complain about this comment
Oh and of course, awesome sailing by the crew!
Who cares if they're sitting down? I'm loving the fact that we're beating the Aussies. Although it does seem to be a bit of a national trait - Lewis Hamilton, Tanni Grey-Thompson, the list goes on...
Complain about this comment
Rob Walker, what can I say! Your manic enthusiasm is only matched by that of the heros and heroins that you interviewed. Great entertainment!
Complain about this comment
Rob, two weeks ago I knew practically nothing about race sailing yet your enthusiasm has been contagious. The knowledge that you and Shirley (and not forgetting Ben) brought to us, the audience, made it as exciting for us as it was for all in Qingdao.
I would never have imagioned jumping for joy at the end of the Star race as I did yesterday!
Both you and the sailing team have given us all some magic moments from the last two weeks, so thank you.
My favourite has to be Bryony's interview. Never mind the slip, that was brilliant TV - I was almost in tears myself just listening to her!
Complain about this comment
Thanks a million Rob
All of the Sailing Team are delighted you were with us in Qingdao.
From my perspective, after winning the medals, you have made the biggest impact on how the team have been portrayed.
Please, please come back again!
Just one thing, can you tell Hazel Irvine, that that there are not just four British Sailors with two Gold Medals, "including our own Shirley Robertson" there are six! She forgot to mention Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, something the bbc does do a little too often. Thanks
Paul. B. Coach to Sarah, Sarah and Pippa
Complain about this comment
Not only were all the Sailing Team awesome, you deserve an announcing Gold yourself Rob!
I've rarely seen such enthusiasm, I was worried you were going to accidently decapitate a couple of our gold medalists out of sheer unbridled joy.
Complain about this comment
Rob, where have the BBC been hiding you?
Your reports really got me into the sailing. I have never seen a commentator so enthusiastic about the event they were watching!
I think this was summed up at the end of the Star race when you were chasing after Iain and Bart and nearly fell in a couple of times, but I doubt even falling overboard would've dampened your spirits.
Complain about this comment
Phelps, Bolt, Hoy, Ainslie, Walker - all gold medal perfomances!
As to the comment that Rob is the new Gary Richardson, he is the original Rob Walker - move over Gary, you've got serious competition!!!
Thanks for making sailing so interesting and exciting to us naive landlubbers. Hope you all enjoyed a few well deserved beers last night!
Complain about this comment
I am a dinghy sailor Rob, and I must say you have done absolutely brilliantly.
Whilst sailing is a great sport to compete in, it is very difficult to relay the excitement and tension to a spectator.
For a layperson to deliver such enthusiastic, honest, passionate and bright reporting at Qingdao is amazing.
My non-sailing friends and family all think you did great as well; the sailing updates were undoubtedly one of the highlights of all the BBC's Olympic coverage.
Looking forward to seeing you back on the telly when the snooker season starts again (and hopefully before then).
Complain about this comment
I have to echo all the comments above.
Great result from Team GB and superb on-the-water stuff from Mr Walker. I'm a very keen racing sailor and your interviews, commentary, etc had me jumping out of my seat just as much as the sailing!
See you in 2012 I hope!!
Complain about this comment
I have to disagree with the above - Rob Walker's antics on the water have been one of the least enjoyable things of the Olympics. Why oh why not put Shirley Robertson out there - she knows what she's talking about and knows when to shut up.
Complain about this comment
Oh shut up HugeofWivey.
Both Rob Walker and Shirley Robertson with their reporting interaction with the sailors has been highly entertaining. Their off-the-cuff approach was a breath of fresh air!
Well done to them both and the BBC.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Didnt see any of it as I'm in the US and NBC Beach Volleyball and Gymnastics Network declined to show any of the sailing so its been the BBC live text for me. A big well done to all the sailors, the star class race had me watching the text updates on my computer hid behind the sofa! Sounds like Rob did a great job so well done to him too. HugeofWivey, you seen to be in a rather large minority!
Complain about this comment
Really enjoyed the performances, and the commentary. And wouldn't say I've watched much sailing at previous games, but will certainly do so again.
Thanks Rob and team.
Complain about this comment
Echo call the comments. Been great all round
Complain about this comment
Rob- you are a legend. Absolutely enjoyed every one of your manic interviews and your endless excitment whatever the weather was legendary. Every morning listening to you on Olympic Breakfast was something that put energy in my day! Well done, and well done on the interviews post race - especially for getting the most out of Bryony; who cares that she swore, she was emotional and you did it brilliantly.
Well done - don't disappear for the next 4 years!
Complain about this comment
Great commentary it really brought sailing alive. For the first time I was able to know what was happening and get a feel of what it all meant to the sailors. More power to your microphone.
Here is to a curry down Brick Lane.
Curryman4
Complain about this comment
I think I speak for the majority when i say:
Rob Walker = commentary legend!
you made watching sailing enjoyable.there were plenty of times i feared you were going to fall out of your media boat with enthusiasm.
and lets not forget THAT interview with bryony shaw.brilliant.
somebody give this guy a promotion!!!
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS