Sarah Ayton
Encyclopedia
Sarah Lianne Ayton Dempsey OBE
(born 9 April 1980 in Ashford, Middlesex) is an English
professional sailor
.
She won a gold medal in the Yngling
sailing class in the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens
, together with Shirley Robertson
and Sarah Webb
, and another gold medal in the Yngling
sailing class in the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
, together with Pippa Wilson
and Sarah Webb
.
Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Ayton was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. She married windsurfer Nick Dempsey
in October 2008. Together, they have a son, Thomas-Flynn, who was born on the 28th June 2009.
Ayton is a patron of Meningitis UK
. Ayton battled with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in 1995, when she was aged 14.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 9 April 1980 in Ashford, Middlesex) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
.
She won a gold medal in the Yngling
Yngling (keelboat)
thumbA Yngling is a sailing boat which the International Yngling Association call an "agreeable cross between a planing dinghy and a keelboat." It can be regarded as a smaller version of the Soling although there are differences in sailing characteristics, proportion, and tuning requirements,...
sailing class in the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, together with Shirley Robertson
Shirley Robertson
Shirley Ann Robertson, OBE is a Scottish sailor and Olympic gold medallist. She made it in the history books by becoming the first British woman to win two Olympic gold medals at consecutive games, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004....
and Sarah Webb
Sarah Webb
Sarah Kathleen Webb Gosling OBE is a British professional sailor and two-time Olympic gold medalist.-Sailing career:...
, and another gold medal in the Yngling
Yngling (keelboat)
thumbA Yngling is a sailing boat which the International Yngling Association call an "agreeable cross between a planing dinghy and a keelboat." It can be regarded as a smaller version of the Soling although there are differences in sailing characteristics, proportion, and tuning requirements,...
sailing class in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, together with Pippa Wilson
Pippa Wilson
Philippa Claire Wilson MBE is an English professional sailor.She won a gold medal in the Yngling sailing class in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, together with Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton....
and Sarah Webb
Sarah Webb
Sarah Kathleen Webb Gosling OBE is a British professional sailor and two-time Olympic gold medalist.-Sailing career:...
.
Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Ayton was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. She married windsurfer Nick Dempsey
Nick Dempsey
Nick Dempsey is an English windsurfer, who lives in Weymouth. He married Sarah Ayton in October 2008 just 2 months after their gold medal victories. In June 2009, they had a son, Thomas-Flynn....
in October 2008. Together, they have a son, Thomas-Flynn, who was born on the 28th June 2009.
Ayton is a patron of Meningitis UK
Meningitis UK
Meningitis UK is a national charity based in the United Kingdom. Its sole focus is on prevention and funding lifesaving research to eradicate all forms of meningitis.- History of Meningitis UK :...
. Ayton battled with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in 1995, when she was aged 14.