WITH the Paris Olympics now well under way, the final countdown is on to the start of the races that Shandon sailor Anna Burnet hopes will land her and partner John Gimson a second Olympic medal.

Having won silver in Tokyo three years ago, Burnet and Gimson are eager to match or better that feat when the Nacra 17 mixed multi-hull event begins on Saturday, August 3.

It’s the start of five hectic days of competition ahead of the medal race on Wednesday, August 7.

And Burnet admits that the feeling when the pair secured their place on the podium in Japan is one she’s desperate to repeat.

Speaking on the British Sailing Team’s YouTube channel, the former Lomond School pupil said: “We were over the moon. Especially for John. He’d been trying to go to the Olympics for so long and been so unlucky in so many ways that to be there with him and to have helped him get to that was just so special.

"It makes me a bit emotional now, even just to think about it.

“He’s a phenomenal sailor. I think he’s just got a huge natural talent and flair when we’re racing. He gives trust to me to keep the boat moving and driving forwards.

He’s also really funny; he doesn’t always mean to be, but it’s always a good balance between being serious and getting the job done but having a laugh along the way.”

Burnet and Gimson are two of the four British sailors at this summer's Games with previous Olympic experience, alongside Saskia Tidey (women's skiff) and Emma Wilson (windsurfing), with Tidey competing in her third Olympics.

They're part of a 14-strong Team GB sailing squad which also features James Peters, Chris Grube, Ellie Aldridge, Sam Sills, Connor Bainbridge, Hannah Snellgrove, Vita Heathcote, Freya Black, Micky Beckett and Fynn Sterritt.

Gimson added: “Anna and I have very different skill sets, but Anna certainly drives the campaign; she makes every day happen, and on the water she’s just a phenomenal sailor.

“And her assets really make up for my weaknesses. She’s really good around the boat, and I’d say she’s probably the best flight controller in the sport.

“We have no control system on our boat, and Anna flies the whole thing. So I’ve got an awful lot of respect for her. And I know I wouldn’t have an Olympic medal without her.”

The Nacra 17 action features 12 races, three on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, before the medal race, which is due to start at 1.43pm local time next Wednesday.