Matt McGovern – Sailing

Also a Ballyholme Bay man and the older of the partnership in the 49er boat, he says he came from the other side of Belfast Lough to Ryan Seaton. He comes from a family with no sailing in the background but with a father with an open mind about what boys should do. His first boat was bought for €25 from the back of a newspaper and from there his Olympic ambitions grew. The optimistic side of the partnership, he says most of the people who win a medal are second-timers. The F1 side of Olympic boat-racing, the 49er is the fastest boat, occasionally tipping 30mph.