Brit Andrew Mills has announced his retirement from Finn sailing, ending his quest for Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
The 28-year-old has been a central figure as Great Britain tasted plenty of success in Finn sailing over his eight-year career – winning bronze at the 2011 European Championships a particular highlight.
But it wasn’t just personal success that he accrued in that time, helping Sir Ben Ainslie claim 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold as his training partner.
But while Mills will continue sailing until mid-July, aiding the British Sailing Team’s Finn squad in their preparations towards the Rio Test Event in August and September’s World Championships, he will step away from the sport in late August to start his new role in the financial services sector.
“It has been a really tricky decision – much as it would be great to keep sailing, do what I love to do among some great friends, the time comes where you have to look at your own interests and your own future,” Mills said.
“I feel I’ve made great progress with my sailing this cycle and think I have more to come, but when I look at the competition I am up against for the one British spot for Rio and the form Giles [Scott] is in, I don’t think I’m quite fast enough.
“Sailing for me was always going to be a first career with the intention of moving into something more permanent afterwards, and I’ve been given a really great opportunity to make one of the smoothest transitions from sport into business that you can get.
“It’s a one-time offer and although I’ll be sorry to be leaving the team, it’s an offer that I feel I need to take in the best interests of my longer-term career.”
© Sportsbeat 2014