Jim Saltonstall
If one man deserves recognition for Britain’s remarkable
success within the sailing Olympic arena, it is Jim Saltonstall –
the coach who has cajoled, encouraged, and inspired so many
youngsters towards world stardom over the past 3
decades
This plain speaking Yorkshireman calls a spade a spade with the
same delivery and authority as that other great County ambassador
Geoffrey Boycott. He joined the Royal Navy at 15 and ended his time
as Navy sailing coach before being head-hunted by the Royal
Yachting Association to become National Racing Coach. It was
Saltonstall who went out to identify young talent and develop a
youth programme that has become the envy of the world and made
Britain the top yachting nation at youth and Olympic levels.
Honoured by the International Sailing Federation with a
life-time achievement award in 2007, Jim was also awarded an MBE in
1997 and voted Yachtsman of the Year in 1984. Among those to have
passed through his hands are 4-time Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie,
fellow Olympic champions Iain Percy and Nick Rogers,and a host of
other world champions. The roll of honour include Stuart
Childerley, Jason Belben, Andy Hemmings, Lawrence Crisp, Andy
Beadsworth, Chris Draper, and Sally Cuthbert - the only person to
win four Youth World championships in succession.
Following his retirement from international coaching, Jim now
tours clubs and youth groups, imparting his knowledge to young
sailing talent at grass roots level.
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