Soton Student Secures Sailing Silver

UPDATE: Pavlos Kontides has won Silver in Men’s Laser Sailing for Cyprus.

Do you live in one of the three villages that hasn’t yet got a gold post box? Do you wish Wiggo was flashing past your window instead of privileged windows in Surrey? If you’re still looking for someone to support this Olympics, take a second to follow the fortunes of one Pavlos Kontides, Southampton University’s very own Olympian, who is racing for Cyprus in the Men’s Laser sailing final this afternoon.

Pavlos, who studies university flagSHIP subject Ship Science, has suspended his degree over the past two years in order to prepare for the Olympics. He is in with a chance of a medal this afternoon as he currently lies in second position—and this would be Cyprus’ first ever medal, in any sport, in any Olympic Games. Overall, Pavlos is 14 points behind Australia’s Tom Slingsby in first position, and will be shooting for the top three in the actual race in a bid to gather enough points to claim the gold medal.

Pavlos is also eyeing up the gold elsewhere, as his tutor Dr Dominic Hudson remarks he’s on course for a first in his degree. How can winning your country’s first Olympic medal compare to that, eh?

As a sailing novice myself, I’m working under the assumption that “Men’s Laser” will be a bit like the final round in Takeshi’s Castle with the laser dodgems, and if that’s not a reason to tune in I don’t know what is.

The final of the Men’s Laser competition will take place today at 2pm, somewhere among the 24,000 Olympic channels offered by the BBC.