The rollercoaster journey of the British Sailing Team and its Tokyo 2020 athletes is revealed in a new behind-the-scenes film Chasing Tokyo, released today (Thursday 28 July).
The 90-minute feature documentary lifts the lid on the highs and lows Team GB’s athletes faced at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Shot over two years, the Olympic Channel documentary charts the team’s physical and mental preparations as they get ready to compete, set against the extraordinary backdrop of uncertainty caused by the global pandemic which led to the postponement of the Games.
From the moment COVID-19 derailed the original Games to desperately trying to get abroad to keep up with their rivals. From travelling to Tokyo, to behind the scenes at the Team GB sailing base, athletes bare their hearts and souls to tell the true story of what it takes to go to an Olympics.
Meet the sailors
It tells the compelling story of Eilidh McIntyre, an Olympic debutant chasing her first gold medal – and aiming to continue her father Mike’s family legacy with the Games. McIntyre’s journey is one of unfettered determination, drive and belief as she attempts to live up to the pressure of racing with Hannah Mills, herself attempting to become the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time.
Chasing Tokyo also follows London 2012 silver medallists Luke Patience and Stu Bithell as they seek success again almost ten years on with their new sailing partners Chris Grube and Dylan Fletcher.
Olympic first-timers Tom Squires and Emma Wilson lay bare their experiences in the RS:X windsurfing class, battling to stay at the top of their game when all but the Tokyo 2020 athletes have moved onto new foiling equipment.
The ultimate goal of Chasing Tokyo is to lift the lid on being an Olympic athlete, and inspire a whole new generation of talented sailors to continue Britain’s legacy as the most successful Olympic sailing nation of all time.
Watch it now
Chasing Tokyo has been produced exclusively for the Olympic Channel by Orillo Films, a highly regarded production company known in sailing for producing content for Volvo Ocean Race, SailGP and America’s Cup teams.
The 90-minute Olympic Channel documentary is free to watch worldwide now.
