I got involved in sailing from an event at my home club and then the South East area rep. wanted me to pursue sailing further to do the South East circuit
I have been sailing for around 6 years
Dave Cockerill
My biggest achievements to date have been winning the South East Topper traveller series in 2007 and 2008. Also coming 14th at my first nationals in 2007 and coming 3rd in the world championships in 2008
My hopes and dreams for the future are to be a world champion in more than one different Olympic class boat and also to win Olympic gold
My proudest moment has to be when I came third overall in the Topper World Championships, as this gave me such a buzz and even more of a desire to win.
I train at least once a week at the weekends and then I go to the gym a minimum of three times every week
Sponsorship money really would mean everything to me. It would enable me to pay for more one on one coaching, which from experience of different types of coaching is that I know I perform and learn best in that way
I would say to a business to encourage them to sponsor me that I am 100% committed to my sport and I will be World and Olympic champion. I truly love sailing but the costs to get to all of the events are prohibitive. My parents and I fund my campaign as much as we can however sponsorship would enable me to train a sufficient amount to give me a realistic chance of getting to the Olympic games in London
Ben Ainslie
My advice to other sportsmen or sports women would be that if you truly believe that you can make it to the top of your sport then don’t hold back
The things I enjoy most about my sport are: the competition element to my sport and the pure buzz I get when I win
I have received sponsorship in the past but currently I am receiving no sponsorship
