Countdown to 2012 in Dorset

Meet Nick Dempsey. He’s 26, lives in Weymouth and is Britain’s most successful windsurfer to date, ranking sixth in the world.

He’s one of the sailors nominated to compete at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Nick’s response? Relief.

“It’s quite satisfying because we’ve been waiting a long time. We have all sorts of difference performance criteria to pass to be selected. To finally get the nod that you’ve been nominated is great, really exciting.”

While windsurfing might bring to mind the kinds of stunts you see on MTV, Olympic windsurfing is a totally different sport.

“Extreme sports windsurfing is very different from Olympic windsurfing. It’s racing rather than tricks and stunts,” explains Nick.

Nick started windsurfing at the age of seven on a small lake near his home in Peterborough. Growing up, he spent many weekends practicing his skills, hoping that one day he would be able to compete internationally.

Nick’s big break came in 1998, when he won a silver medal at the ISAF Youth World Championships. After graduating to senior events, he earned a place on the British Olympic Team for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Although Nick finished in sixteenth place at Sydney, his experience prepared him for the Athens Olympics in 2004. There, he picked up a bronze medal. This time his sight is set firmly on gold.

Nick moved to Weymouth for the windsurfing. “Windsurfing in Weymouth is amazing,” he explains.

“You could not get a better venue. With waves outside the harbour and a safe environment inside the harbour, it’s always really busy with people enjoying themselves.”

While 2012 is a long way away, Nick’s dream is that he will one day win gold in Weymouth.

“To come to your home Olympics, windsurfing on your home patch of water… I can’t think of anything better. Hopefully it will come true in five years’ time.