An Eastbourne man who had his first ever sail at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club will be battling for gold at the upcoming Beijing Olympics.
Stevie Morrison, who has 12 major national and international sailing titles to his name, has been selected to sail for Team GB in the Olympic sailing event's 49er class in Qingdao.
Morrison, 28, was born in Eastbourne and started sailing at the a
ge of 11 in a cadet dinghy at the Pevensey Bay club.
The talent he displayed from the start amazed local members.
Pevensey Bay committee member Gary Kinch recalled this week, "Stevie had his first sail here at Pevensey Bay. It was his introduction to the sport and a major influence on him.
"From the clubhouse as a youngster he could recognise and name every design of dinghy on the water from sail shape and hull profile.
"He also spent many hours watching his dad in the club races.
"He didn't start sailing until he was 11 because he had a fear of water; indeed he still doesn't like getting wet!"
Stevie's dad Phil Morrison, who is still an honorary member of the Pevensey Bay club, is an internationally renowned boat designer responsible for the creation of many of the top racing dinghy designs now used.
In a recent interview Phil said that Pevensey Bay SC was his favourite sailing club for reasons of nostalgia.
Stevie Morrison is the current 49er world champion and is considered a firm favourite for Olympic Gold. With his partner Ben Rhodes, they won the 2007 Olympic Test Event in Qingdao.
The pair's first major 49er victory was at the Holland Olympic Classes Regatta in 2005.
The following year they won a bronze at the 49er World Championships but in 2007 they actually struck gold at the World Championships in Cascals.
The Morrisons have lived in Exmouth, Devon, since the mid-eighties.
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