Olympics 1992 Monday 27 July: Penny Way - Boardsailing: Race 1 at 12.15pm
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Penny Way is not all that she appears to be. She is rather more. Britain's representative on the sailboard looks like a Paris waif, but she is tough and has a track record that is the envy of her rivals. World champion in 1986, 1990 and 1991, she would almost certainly have had an Olympic medal before now were it not for 1992 being the first Games in which a women's boardsailing has been included.
At least she has had good notice of when to reach an Olympic peak of fitness and aggression. Selection as long ago as May 1991 has allowed her to focus on the Games themselves, rather than winning her place. She has also been able to clear up some niggling elbow strains and adjust gradually to what she hopes will be her best fighting weight. She has always excelled in lighter rather than stronger breezes, and as Barcelona is predicted to be a light air venue, it would be surprising if she were over 8st. If the wind picks up she could find herself losing out to a heavier rival.
Way knows she is still learning how to squeeze more speed out of her sailboard. 'That's why I find it such a special sport to be involved in,' she says. 'You can improve every day.'
Her name is not in fact Penny. 'My little brother couldn't manage Helen when he was learning to talk so he called me Henny-Penny and the Penny stuck.'
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments