Olympic sailor from Emsworth praises Portsmouth's support for America's Cup

AN OLYMPIC sailor from Emsworth has told of his pride after the first day of the America's Cup ended in victory for Sir Ben Ainslie.
AMERICA'S CUP SATURDAY                                               MRW     23/7/2016

The B.A.R.boat gets up on its foils in front of the large crowd off Southsea seafront at Saturday's America's Cup event as they prepare to get ready for the First Race 

Picture by: Malcolm Wells (160723-8431)
Professional Photographer
Mobile: 07802 217 569
E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-160723-132557006AMERICA'S CUP SATURDAY                                               MRW     23/7/2016

The B.A.R.boat gets up on its foils in front of the large crowd off Southsea seafront at Saturday's America's Cup event as they prepare to get ready for the First Race 

Picture by: Malcolm Wells (160723-8431)
Professional Photographer
Mobile: 07802 217 569
E: malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com PPP-160723-132557006
AMERICA'S CUP SATURDAY MRW 23/7/2016 The B.A.R.boat gets up on its foils in front of the large crowd off Southsea seafront at Saturday's America's Cup event as they prepare to get ready for the First Race Picture by: Malcolm Wells (160723-8431) Professional Photographer Mobile: 07802 217 569 E: [email protected] PPP-160723-132557006

Peter McCoy, 24, has just returned from a two-week training camp in Rio ahead of this year’s Olympic Games.

He spent the day at the Race Village cheering on Sir Ben and his team, Land Rover BAR, as they romped to victory today in two of the three races.

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‘The city has been amazing. The atmosphere has been incredible here,’ he said.

Peter McCoy, of EmsworthPeter McCoy, of Emsworth
Peter McCoy, of Emsworth

Portsmouth is doing a lot to really help to promote the sport.

‘There must be about 25,000 people here. It’s just amazing to see so many people here.’

His comments came after the second grinder challenge finished this afternoon.

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The power contest saw sailors from the America’s Cup team pushing themselves to the limit to record the fastest times.

Peter McCoy, of EmsworthPeter McCoy, of Emsworth
Peter McCoy, of Emsworth

Storming to victory was Land Rover BAR’s Nick Hutton, who clinched a time of 10.24sec.

He was closely followed by Artemis Racing’s Luke Parkinson, who notched up a time of 10.30sec.

Other times were: Guy Endean, Emirates Team New Zealand – 10.37sec; Joey Newton, Oracle Team USA – 10.67sec; Thomas Le Bretton, Groupama Team France; Chris Draper, Softbank Team Japan – 12.41sec.

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But Peter, who took part in the challenge afterwards, notched a time better than all the America’s Cup pros. He recorded a blistering 9.95 sec.

Peter added: ‘I’m here trying to defend my title that I won last year.’

Speaking of his Rio 2016, Peter said: ‘We’re all feeling great. We’re all feeling really confident.’