Up in the air

Rio Olympics 2016: Nick Dempsey makes windsurfing history with third medal… and hints he may go for another

NICK DEMPSEY took silver to become the first man to win three Olympic windsurfing medals – and hinted he may go for another.

The Brit had insisted he would retire after the final leg of the Rio event and joked that he would need to find a job as of Monday.

EPA
Nick Dempsey became the most successful male windsurfer with silver medal

But, after coming fourth in the medal race, the two-time world champion admitted he is tempted to continue on to Tokyo in four years’ time.

He said: “It is amazing. It is awesome, something I am incredibly proud of.

“It has been a long time, I have been working for a long time, and it is very hard to stay at the top for that long.”

“I am not sure I can do it again. I would love to if I could.

“I don’t know what is next, I would like to do my photography stuff, I would like to do some coaching, I might work a bit within the team, I might carry on sailing a bit more.

Related stories

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
Statement released on 2028 LA Olympics after horror wildfires

Getty Images
Dempsey picks up his silver medal alongside winner Dorian van Rijsselberghe

“I am just going to take some time. I don’t know (if I will be in Tokyo). Probably not.”

He added: “I love racing. I think I am occasionally a bit competitive. I just don’t like losing and I love windsurfing.

“If you are going to carry on doing it, you have to be winning or at least in contention.

“I love the Olympics – I think it is the best thing in the world.”

Dempsey’s coach, Dom Tidey, said: “What a way to go out. There was no stress and he could soak it all up.

“Hopefully it’s not his last race at an Olympics, I’m going to try to convince him to do another!”

Dempsey has already guaranteed silver in the in the RS:X class going into the final day, behind Dutchman Dorian van Rijsselberge.

 

 

Exit mobile version