Sarah Ayton’s first sailing experience came as a young child when she was introduced to the sport by a family friend. Taking to it like a duck to water and like many great champions before her, she began sailing in earnest in an Optimist dinghy before moving up to the Laser Radial class. It was clear from the outset that Sarah had real potential and by the age of 18 had reached the British No 1 spot in sailing and won silver in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships.

She took Gold in Athens at the 2004 Olympic Games as the youngest member of Shirley Robertson’s crew. Sarah then went on to lead her own crew dominating their class and being podium placed in every major regatta they entered.

 In 2008, Sarah teamed up with former crew-mates Pippa Wilson and Sarah Webb for the Beijing Olympics. The crew were favourite to take the Olympic title in the Yangling class and did not disappoint. 

One of Britain’s most successful athletes as a Double Gold Olympian, Double World Champion and European Champion, Sarah has also won the title of  ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year and taken part in the Extreme Sailing Series.

Now a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainor, Sarah is also an accomplished speaker, as well as turning her attention to carving out a career for herself in the media. 

On the corporate circuit, Sarah’s presentations highlight her story and successes with the use of video footage.

Topics covered include; A no compromise approach to success, what makes a high performance team, Turning a goal and vision into reality, controlling the uncontrollable, decision making and performing under pressure, innovation and collaboration and the Olympic Games – the greatest show on earth.