Olympians sail into a hero’s welcome

7:00pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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Three of Britain's Olympic medal-winning sailors returned to their home yacht club yesterday in triumph.

Gold medal winners Ben Ainslie and Pippa Wilson, plus silver medal-winning Nick Rogers, were guests of honour at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Club secretary Kevin Podger said the club and town were proud and honoured that so much success had come from the area.

"To have two gold medals and one silver from the same yacht club is, I think, unprecedented," he said.

During the celebrations the sailors had a chat to young club members about their successes in an attempt to make sure the next generation takes over in the years to come.

The event was then followed by a drinks reception and dinner in honour of the trio.

Ben is now Britain's most successful Olympic sailor after he took his third successive gold.

He said: "It's great to come to the club and see the children so excited - if we have inspired them for the future that's great."

Pippa won her first gold with team-mates Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb in the Yngling class and Nick picked up his silver in the 470 fleet.

Pippa said: "The reception in London, with people in the street congratulating us, was amazing - we weren't expecting that."