Portland Resident Connor Bainbridge Secures Place at Paris 2024 Olympics
Portland resident Connor Bainbridge has officially secured his spot as Team GB’s men’s kite athlete for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, solidifying his place in the 14-strong sailing team. The 30-year-old from Halifax, West Yorkshire, earned his selection after an impressive victory at the French Olympic Week regatta, where he secured one of the five country quota places.
Bainbridge expressed his excitement about fulfilling his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, stating, “It’s definitely not been a straight or easy road to get here, but it’s all been worth it and I can’t wait to represent Team GB at this summer’s Olympics.”
Having won silver at the Paris 2024 sailing test event last summer, Bainbridge narrowly missed opportunities to qualify Britain for a quota spot at the 2023 World Championships and European Championships. However, he made a strong comeback at the French Olympic Week, dominating the ‘Last Chance Regatta’ fleet for unqualified nations.
With an impressive performance, Bainbridge won nine out of the 15 races and secured his overall victory by taking the top spot in the four-athlete final. He will be joining Ellie Aldridge as Britain’s first representatives in the Formula Kite class, a new addition to the Olympic sailing roster for Paris 2024.
Mark Robinson, RYA Performance Director, commended Bainbridge for his determination and drive in securing Britain a place in the Men’s Kite event at Paris 2024. He expressed excitement about Bainbridge’s selection and is looking forward to seeing what he can achieve in Marseille this summer.
The Formula Kite class is set to be the fastest event in the Summer Olympics, with athletes reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. The athletes ride a short board with a hydrofoil fitted to lift them around a meter clear of the water, powered by huge kites controlled using special lines attached to a bar. Each rider has a selection of four kites of different sizes that can be changed based on wind strength and conditions. Bainbridge’s journey to the Olympics is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport, and Team GB is eager to see him shine on the world stage in Paris 2024.