University’s Olympic competitors hopeful of medal-winning finish

AN OLYMPIC athlete and graduate of the University of Chichester has spoken of her desire for a golden swansong to her medal-laden career as she prepares for the Rio 2016 Games.

Team GB sailor Saskia Clark, who studied Sport and Exercise Sciences, is to compete with affiliate Hannah Mills in the women’s 470 class at Brazil’s Guanabara Bay in what will be their final competition.

The duo, who were awarded honorary master of science degrees by Chichester three years ago, began sailing together in 2010 and became Britain’s first world champions in May 2012 before winning silver in London later that year.

Posting on their Facebook page Ms Clark, below right, said: “We have been super conscious to just enjoy it. It is our last event probably sailing together in the 470 and that’s really sad.

“We have been such a huge part of each other’s lives for six years and I have loved every minute of it. [Gold] would be the icing on the cake, the fairytale ending, it would be an incredible journey to have gone through together.”

The University’s Institute of Sport has been supporting the British Sailing Team through its innovative research for the last five Olympic Games and in 2012 helped its sailors win more medals than any other country – topping the table with five.

Ms Clark and Ms Mills are joined in Brazil by Team GB hockey star Alex Danson who is also a University honorary graduate and bronze-medal winner at London 2012.

The forward, who has scored nearly 100 goals for both England and Great Britain, was awarded an honorary master of science degree in 2014 for her work with Chichester students.

After being selected for the team last month, Ms Danson added: “Keep the fingers crossed that GB can improve on Bronze. That is the plan, that is what we have been training for and that is what we all hope will happen.”

Keep updated on all three competitors by following the University of Chichester’s official social media accounts at social.chi.ac.uk.