How Team GB windsurfer Sam Sills spent his life savings and slept in a van to make his Olympic dream come true.
For Team GB windsurfer Sam Sills it involved spending all his savings and living in a van at waterside car parks as he tried to force his way back into the British team.
"It was pretty stressful. I ended up sleeping in my van in the car park of this lake in the mountains of Switzerland and I managed to get in the top 12 at that event, which put me on a trajectory to be in the team."After being a junior world champion Sills failed to make the Great Britain team for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics on the old RS:X boards.The iQFOiL boards use hydrofoils attached to the bottom to lift it out of the water, with speeds of up to 30 knots - about 35mph.
"I was living in the car park of Portland Harbour in the van in the spring and summer of that year, which was pretty rough to be honest, and it was make or break. "I almost gave it back in that moment, I remember thinking to myself 'What am I doing? This is so irresponsible and I shouldn't really be doing this, but I've done it now, so let's just make it work' - and it paid off."It certainly did pay off. Sills came seventh in the World Championships in 2020 and went on to qualify for Great Britain.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
50-year-old dad joins teen duo in Team GB skateboard team for OlympicsThe father-of-three will become the oldest-ever Olympic skateboarder.
Read more »
Paris 2024: 50-year-old Andy Macdonald joins teen duo in Team GB skateboard teamAmerican-born Macdonald joins 15-year-old Sky Brown and 16-year-old Lola Tambling in the Team GB line-up.
Read more »
Ex-Preston North End team mates link up as Scottish club boosts coaching teamThey played together at PNE under Alan Irvine
Read more »
'Oldest' football team in Glasgow get behind Scotland team as they face rivals in Euros clashResidents from Florence House care home in Govan hope to inspire the Scotland national team as Steve Clarke's boys face Switzerland in the second nail biting game of the Euros tonight.
Read more »
Team GB triathlon team named for Paris 2024 OlympicsGreat Britain name their final three triathletes to complete their team for this summer's Paris Olympic Games.
Read more »
Emma Raducanu turns down Olympic Games place as Team GB confirm tennis teamThe 21-year-old was offered a wildcard by organisers but chose to prioritise her progress on hard courts this summer
Read more »