Stevie Morrison, 29, is currently (January 2008) ranked fourth in the world in the 49er class and has been selected to sail for Team GB at the Olympic Games sailing event in Qingdao, 2008. Stevie has 12 major National and International sailing titles to his name, including being World Champion with crew Ben Rhodes. Having also won the 2007 Olympic Test Event in Qingdao, Stevie and Ben are currently hot candidates for 2008 Olympic glory in the 49er class.
Stevie began sailing aged 11 with friends in a Cadet dinghy in Eastbourne. From the very beginning, he showed a massive amount of natural talent and a very rational head for a young sailor. Once Stevie had developed a passion for dinghy racing, in the youth classes there was no stopping him and he soon qualified to join the British 49er squad. After a string of top ten results, Stevie’s first major 49er class victory was at the Holland Olympic Classes Regatta in 2005. As soon as Stevie had his first taste of major international success, the number of podium finishes increased hugely and in 2006, Morrison and Rhodes built on this international success, winning a bronze medal at the 49er World Championships and later being crowned European 49er Champions in Weymouth and Portland.
During 2007, Stevie and Ben went from strength to strength. Having finished on the podium in almost all the world class events they competed at in 2007, they surpassed their closest British rivals to clinch gold at the World Championships in Cascais and are looking strong medal contenders for Team GB in China next year.
Facts and Figures:
World Ranking: 4 (as of 19th December 2007)
Class: 49er
Position on Boat: Helm
DOB: 25 November 1978
Born: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Currently living: Exmouth, Devon
Started sailing: Aged 11
Duration in current class: Since 2002
Name of sailing partner: Ben Rhodes
Greatest strengths in sailing: Simplifying it
Greatest weakness in sailing: Over simplifying it
Biggest goal: Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing and London, and to be happy.
Who has been the most influential person in your sailing career: My Parents
Other interests away from sailing: Kitesurfing, Football, Music & Family
For more information visit: www.Morrison-Rhodes.org.uk