THE mother of silver medal-winning sailor Anna Burnet has said she is “completely over the moon” and a “very proud mum”.
Scotland-based Burnet, 28, secured silver in the mixed Nacra 17 class at the Tokyo Olympics alongside her sailing partner John Gimson, 38, this morning.
Louise Burnet, from Shandon, Gare Loch, in Argyll and Bute, said her daughter has “always had this great passion” since she began sailing at the age of five in an Optimist dinghy.
Louise, 62, said “we would never ever have dreamed of this happening”, adding: “We’re completely over the moon, it’s an awesome result.”
The retired musician said: “They’ve just been a great team together and it’s a massive passion for them both.
“They are really good friends and you need that partner you click with.
“When Anna started sailing at the local yacht club she had no fear of the water from an early age.
“There were a lot of long drives at weekends which her father Colin did a lot of, 11 hours down to the south coast at weekends, and it is certainly all worth it now.”
READ MORE: BBC apologise as cyclist Frederik Madsen shouts 'f*** them' during morning coverage
The achievement came on a strong morning for Team GB sailors, with Giles Scott defending his Olympic title to be crowned champion in the men’s Finn class and Stuart Bithell and Dylan Fletcher securing gold in the 49er class.
Burnet started sailing at the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club on Gare Loch, Scotland’s oldest yacht club founded in 1824.
She soon won the female national Optimist title and was selected for the British worlds team in 2006 at the age of 14, said the British Sailing Team.
Chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “Scotland has a proud tradition of successful sailors on Team GB and it’s terrific to see Anna Burnet join that illustrious list.
“To be selected to compete at an Olympic Games is a huge achievement, but to win a silver medal is very special.
“Congratulations to Anna, her partner John Gimson and the whole Scottish and British sailing family.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here