"Failures are where the good stuff happens," says helmsman Luke Patience. He and Stuart Bithell have learnt the hard way that an Olympic campaign is a tough challenge. Matthew Sheahan spoke to the newly selected 470 duo
Olympic profile: Luke Patience
Early ambitions – “I guess I had a bit of a hippy upbringing. I didn’t think that further education could teach me anything that I would use”
How it all started – “I had my first major success at the Optimist Europeans in 2000 where I finished 4th. But as it happens this event was also a big negative for me as a group of Italians team-raced me out of 1st place so that their sailor could win. I’ve let it go now, but only just”
Best/worst quality – “My best qualities are that I’m a smiler and excitable. My worst are that I over-think things and make them more complicated than they need to be”
Hobbies and interests? – “I like anything on water, plus I love rock climbing and playing my guitars”
How do you relax? – “I do like going home to Scotland – it’s the only place where I can really relax. I’m quite keen on a wee dram too”
What picks you up when you’re down? – “Stuart is a good calming influence for me and when he’s not around my parents are very good at reading my moods, especially my mother who can suss me out in a few seconds on Skype”
Non-sailing ambition – “To get away from rules and regulations for a while. Perhaps live in Tiree for a bit”
What’s your plan ‘B’? – “To do it all over again? I guess I don’t have one, I’ve never really felt the need to have something to fall back on, but that might change In August!”
Pet hate – Ignorance
Sporting hero – Roger Federer, Kelly Slater and Sam Hill
Position on boat – Helm
First class raced – Optimist aged 8
Early racing track record 4th – 2000 Optimist European championships
1st British boat – 2001 Optimist Worlds, Qingdao
2nd – 2003 420 Europeans
3rd – 2004 420 Youth Sailing World Championships
Favourite sailing venue – Lake Garda
Favourite regatta – Any world championships
Favourite boat – 470
Current car – Volvo V70
Dream car – Land Rover Defender 90
Personal favourites
Film – 300
Band – Powderfinger
Book – Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Non-sailing item – Fender Stratocaster guitar
iPhone app – Shazam
iPod top 3 most played
Closer – Kings of Leon
We Own the Sky – M83
Poke – Frightened Rabbit