With a hugely successful competitive career spanning over 15 years, Shirley Robertson has built herself up to be one of Great Britain's strongest sailors. With skills in numerous sailing classes, she's able to switch her talents from single to team sailing, and is well known within the world sailing arena. In addition to her two Olympic Gold medals, she is able to boast a wealth of European and World titles.

Shirley began her sailing life in a 'Mirror Miracle' craft at the age of 7 in her homeland of Scotland. Her passion for the sport grew and led her into the competitive realm, eventually to her Olympic debut in 1992 at the Barcelona games. Focusing on the Europe class, Shirley carried on training hard and again featured on the British team during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. This time her hard work paid off and she placed 4th, just outside the medal position, exceeding her previous best of 9th.

Outside the Olympic competitions Shirley raced in the Europe World Championships and managed to take the silver in 1998 (Baltic) and the bronze in 1999 (Melbourne). These results lead her again onto the British Olympic team and resulted in the gold medal in Sydney in 2000. Shirley then echoed this result in 2004 at the Atlanta games when she swapped from the Europe class to the Woman's Keelboat Yngling.

In 2005, Shirley took on the challenge of the 'Fastnet Yacht Race' helping her team to victory in the Super 0 Class. But as her training returns to small yacht racing, Shirley is focused on taking another gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

With the huge potential for sailing enthusiasts to go to America and work, Shirley is keen to help Camp Leaders in the recruitment of qualified participants. Her position as a key role model within the international sailing world will help to encourage her followers into improving their coaching ability and skills, whilst having the summer of a lifetime at camp!

"Having sailed from such a young age myself, I would have loved to have attended a camp to try out sailing! I know that kids will become passionate about the sport as soon as they try it and this is going to be a great reward for the international staff Camp Leaders are sending to the USA. Keeping the standard of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) courses will mean that camps are receiving a really high level of instructor, allowing them to rest easy in the knowledge that their kids will be learning in a fun and safe environment." - Shirley Robertson

Shirley Robertson - Achievements

1992 - 9th - Europe Class, Barcelona Olympics

1996 - 4th - Europe Class, Atlanta Olympics

1998 - 2nd - Europe Class, Europe World Championships

1999 - 3rd - Europe Class, Europe World Championships

2000 - 2nd - Europe Class, Europe World Championships

2000 - 1st - Europe Class, Sydney Olympics

2001 - 14th - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, World Championships

2002 - 16th - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, World Championships

2003 - 1st - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, Princess Sofia Trophy

2003 - 7th - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, ISAF World Sailing Championships

2003 - 1st - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, Pre Olympic Athens

2004 - 4th - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, Princess Sofia Trophy

2004 - 1st - Woman's Keelboat Yngling, Athens Olympics

2005 - 1st - IRC Class 0, Skandia Cowes Week

2005 - 2nd - Super 0 Class, Rolex Fastnet Race