Day in the life of
Laser sailor, Nick Thompson leads a double life spending half his time studying at University and half his time campaigning for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008. Unlike many Uni students who only have to worry about studying, grades and putting together a fancy dress costume for the latest party, Nick has to add daily sessions in the gym and training days on the water to his list of things to do.
For Nick, no day in his life is ever the same as he tries to balance being a student with being a sailor. Here s a look into what Nick does with his time.
Full name: Nick Thompson
Olympic class: Laser
Nicknames: Nick, Thompo (No thanks to Gower s), Snakey (don t ask)
Age: 20
Born/brought up: In Southampton and Lymington
Currently living: Lymington and Exeter for University
A typical day at Uni:
Usually I wake up at 8 am to the soothing sound of my phones alarm, to which I always press the sleep button so that I can have my extra 10 minutes of kip. Usually, I ve been up all night but somehow don t seem to worry about and extra 10 minutes of sleep then).
Once I m up I check my emails and eat an entire packet of cereal, for my favourite meal of the day. It s just a bit annoying that I always seem to be addicted to the most expensive kinds in the supermarket, Country Crisp being the current cereal of choice. I m usually not too grouchy in the mornings; just don t try to have any form of normal conversation with me.
After breakfast I head to the gym or take my bike out for roughly a 40 mile ride a ride depending on the weather, and how I m feeling. Exeter is superb for cycling once you manage to get out of the city, which usually involves racing every car you come across and dodging traffic. There are hills to climb or you can head down to the seafront for some great views and fresh air, shame I don t get to stop and enjoy the scenery!
Once back at home, I have to catch up on the readings that I ve missed, because I ve been away sailing, or lazy. I always seem to be behind!
After studying and classes I head for the gym for a fitness session with Beef my personal trainer at Exeter. Named appropriately due to his size, he is great to work with as he keeps me motivated by changing things up, and working on the right tracks. I just can t seem get enough of the rollouts on my stomach after a night out or a curry.
I usually round off the day with dinner cooked by myself, typical meals include spaghetti bolognaise, curry, fish and fajitas. Like a typical student, when I m feeling creative, I throw everything into the pan and see what comes out.
After dinner I usually chill with some friends in front of the TV, feeling guilty every moment that I m sat there because I promised myself that I would catch up on my work.
I tend to finish evening with an episode of 24. Hit the pillow at midnight and I m gone in seconds.
A typical day away from Uni:
Wake up, bike, sail gym. Sailing usually takes place out of my hometown of Lymington or Weymouth. I m training on my own a lot at the moment from Lymington or with the Laser Squad out of Weymouth.
Thankfully this winter I shouldn t have to worry about the cold (which every year I convince myself has got worse) because a soon as I finish university in December I will be heading off to Florida to train there until March. I m not looking foreword to returning for the Stokes Bay qualifier (10-11 March) after spending the winter sailing in 35deg I m cold just thinking about it.
Essential tools for the job: Bike, 24, Comp, Pod.
Can t get through the day without: Music, Quick chat to girlfriend Paige, some form of exercise and a 10 minute lie-in the morning.
Best part of your job: Doing what I love and feeling like I am working towards my dream (Olympic Gold) since I first started sailing.
Worst part of your job: Sailing in -10 degrees , when the mainsheet is frozen and I ve forgotten half my sailing kit.
Weekly reward: Couple of drinks with mates, which usually ends up in one of the many student dominated night clubs in Exeter, serving all forms of intoxicating substances for dangerously cheap prices (great) and some 24 watching.