A CLAVERING sailor is returning to the country of his first major title in hope of bringing the gold home again.

Sam Breary is travelling to Perth in December for the Sailing World Championships – a competition he won in 2007. Four years on and ups and downs in his career, Sam is focused on winning.

“I would be happy with a podium position, but I am going there to win. I am putting a lot of pressure on myself to bring back gold,” he said.

“I feel Australia is where my sailing took its biggest turn towards success and it’s an amazing place to sail. It is also a chance to put July behind me, where I lost out on the world title by less than a point.”

Sam still ranks the 2007 tournament as his most memorable competition despite winning two European events and one national championship since then.

“It is still [the best] as it was my first major event win, and silenced a lot of the doubters who thought I couldn’t make it. It is also the only time a British sailor has ever won those championships, which gives me immense pride.”

Despite his pride in competing for his country and the potential for goal at London 2012, Sam made the toughest choice of his career and withdrew from the competition– a decision he regrets but would not change.

“I was asked to drop out of University, however, I knew I wanted a degree to fall back on if the worst happened and I got injured. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means.

“If I had the choice again I don’t think my decision would change, but to this day I massively regret it, it was a no win situation for me.

“No elite athlete likes to admit they are giving up their chance to compete in a home Olympics - a chance I won’t get again in my life time - but you have to use these experiences in a positive manor.”

His positive outlook is now being passed on to children around the county after he was made a Sporting Champion for Essex – a role he is fully embracing.

“I love being a sporting champion; being able to put back into sport that has given me so many positive experiences in my life is fantastic. It is great to meet young people and help them into sport.”