“We’ve done all the work we needed to do.  Now we know the type of conditions to expect next year. We assume that we’ll be here for the Athens 2004 Olympics, but we still have to qualify in the World Championships in Spain and in January back in Australia in our Regatta. The venue here is superb, and I believe that next year you’ll have a great sailing event here.”

Christopher NICHOLSON (AUSTRALIA), 49er, Gold Medallist

 “It’s fantastic.  The only problem is we won the gold one year earlier!  It’s important to know that it can be done. We really enjoyed it here. The weather conditions were tricky and challenging. We’re very pleased to win the Regatta. It’s a good build up to the following competitions.”

 Paul BROTHERTON (GREAT BRITAIN), 49er, Silver Medallist

“I’m very happy with second place.  The wind was good. In the first days, the wind was unpredictable, but afterwards it became more consistent. If I qualify, I’d like to come back next year and compete in the Athens 2004 Games.”

Gianfranco SIBELLO (ITALY), 49er, Bronze Medallist

“ It was a difficult race. The wind kept shifting, but the breeze was good. We didn’t have a good start, but we performed better at the end of the competition.”

Piero SIBELLO (ITALY), 49er, Bronze Medallist

“The Norwegians lodged a protest against us, because we had a small crash during the race, but such things happen very often. In the end, no harm done.”

 Siren SUNDBY (NORWAY), Europe, Gold Medallist

 “I’m very happy. The weather conditions were very tricky, but I’m very good under these conditions.  I’m looking forward to coming here next year.  I had a very good time.”

Min DEZILLIE (BELGIUM),Europe, Silver Medallist

“There was a lot of tension in the race. The boats were very tight.  During the race, Sarah Macky and Lenka Smidova were ahead, and I had to pass them.  I finally made it.  The race was difficult because it began with lots of false starts, and I tried not to take any risks. I’m very pleased with the venue and the organization.  I can’t wait to be here again next year for the Athens 2004 Games.”

Sarah MACKY (NEW ZEALAND),Europe, Bronze Medallist

“I’m really pleased. The wind was shifting and this was a challenge. Apart from our bodies we have to use our brains a lot. The organization was pretty good.’’

John FORBES (AUSTRALIA), Tornado, Gold Medallist

“We’re very satisfied that we won. We were better than the Austrians this year. This was our comeback!  In last year’s Athens Regatta, the Austrians came first, but now it was our turn to win the gold medal! The weather doesn’t make things easy, but we like these kinds of sailing conditions. I think the organization was great, and the schedule of the races was very good.”

Darren BUNDOCK (AUSTRALIA), Tornado, Gold Medallist

“I feel very good. I believe we prepared well and are on the right track.  We’re getting used to the weather conditions at Agios Kosmas. We really like Athens.  We enjoyed our stay here last year, and we really, really enjoyed our stay here this time.  We like everything here. The weather, the people, Greece in general.”

Mike FLETCHER (AUSTRALIA), Tornado, Team Coach

“I’m very satisfied with the result. I’ve been coaching John Forbes and Darren Bundock for 12 years.  I believe that the conditions here are only for clever people, because the wind here is very liable to shift and tricky.  John Forbes and Darren Bundock are twice world champions.  We really like Greece and we are looking forward to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. I think Roman Hagara is a very good athlete.”

Carlos Mauricio ESPINOLA (ARGENTINA), Tornado, Bronze Medallist

“I’m very happy with third place, but first is always better. The organization of the 2003 Regatta was excellent, because those who were helping us in the water were excellent.”

Santiago Raul LANGE (ARGENTINA), Tornado, Bronze Medallist

“The weather was difficult. This is why the races were interesting. The Marina here is great. We expect to win a medal at the Athens 2004 Games.”

Robert SCHEIDT (BRAZIL), Laser, Gold Medallist

“Very exciting race. The most exciting race of my life. It was unpredictable. I was behind at the first mark. I had some good tactics, and I managed to catch up with the Swede and the Croat.  It was neck and neck right to the end.  I’m very pleased because last year I didn’t sail well here. I hope to qualify for the Athens 2004 Games, where in this class it will all be up in the air again who will win.  After this result I’m very confident.  I need to have a very positive attitude in order to do well here next year.”

Daniel BIRGMARK (SWEDEN), Laser, Silver Medallist

“I’m not very happy. It wasn’t a good day. I was very close to Robert Scheidt, but I couldn’t catch him.  The silver medal is also good, however.”

Mate ARAPOV (CROATIA), Laser, Bronze Medallist

“Very good organization. Much better than the same pre-Olympic event in Sydney. There were very good weather conditions here, even though they were different from day to day.  I’m very happy with my performance because I had to deal with different types of wind.”

Alessandra SENSINI (ITALY), Women’s Mistral, Gold Medallist

“I’m very happy with first place. Everything went well. I’m very, very pleased.  The wind was very good, even though during the first days, the wind made it very difficult.  I believe next year’s event will be as good as this year’s. I need to work hard for next year’s Olympics here.”

LEE Lai Shan (HONG KONG), Women’s Mistral, Silver Medallist

“This was an interesting Regatta. The weather was tricky and challenging. Alessandra Sensini did so well that I shall have to train very hard in order to beat her next year.”

Antonia FREY (GREECE), 10th, Women’s Mistral

“This was an experience, as is every Regatta, and now I know what to correct next time, so that I can perform better.”

Nikos KAKLAMANAKIS (GREECE), Men’s Mistral, Gold Medallist

“I’m pleased. The Regatta started with difficulties for me, but it ended well.  If I hadn’t been disqualified the third day, I wouldn’t have had to race today and I could have been watching the race from the shore.  Anyway, I fought hard and everything went well.  As for the Olympics next year, the two gold medals that I won in the two pre-Olympic events are an indication, but not a proof, that I am on the right track.  The weather conditions didn’t surprise me, since in order for sailors to do well on this course, they have to be good all-rounders - good in weak as well as strong winds.  ‘Specialists’ won’t do well here.  My preparation has to do with these elements, and I try not to be too ‘light’ or too ‘heavy’, so that I can do well in both kinds of winds.”

Gal FRIEDMAN (ISRAEL), Men’s Mistral, Silver Medallist

“I’m very happy.  All year, I’ve been training with Nikos Kaklamanakis, so it was like practice for us.  I’m used to these kinds of weather conditions. The venue here is perfect. The Marina is one of the best I’ve ever seen. The organization was good since everything was on time.”

ZHOU Yuanguo (CHINA), Men’s Mistral, Bronze Medallist

“I didn’t do as well as I thought I would. The weather was great. The Venue and the organization were excellent.”

Source: OLYMPIC NEWS SERVICE