Nick Dempsey


Nicholas Charles Dempsey is a British windsurfer, who lives in Poole, Dorset. He became the first man to win three Olympics medals in windsurfing when he won silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics, adding to a silver won in the 2012 London Olympics, and a bronze from the 2004 Athens Olympics. He is also twice world champion, winning gold in 2009 and 2013.

Career

Dempsey booked his first international success at the 1998 Mistral Youth World Championships, where he won the bronze medal. As a senior his first win was clinched at the North Sea Cup Series in Pevensey Bay, and an additional third place in the Kieler Woche.
During the 2000 Summer Olympics he finished in 16th position. He continued winning competitions in 2001 and beyond like Athens Eurolymp Week, Kieler Woche and the SPA Regatta before finishing third at the 2004 Summer Olympics to take the windsurfing bronze medal.
When switching to the RS:X class he won race after race, resulting in the first spot on the RS:X world rankings. He took the gold medal at the 2006 RS:X European Championships. At the he finished in 5th position.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics he came 4th in the RS:X Class windsurfing class with 60 points. He was 2 points behind Israeli bronze medalist Shahar Zubari.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Dempsey won the silver medal in the RS:X Class windsurfing class, behind Dorian van Rijsselberge of the Netherlands.
In the 2016 Summer Olympics, Dempsey again won the silver in the RS:X Class, again behind van Rijsselberge. With three medals won in the Olympics, he became the most decorated men's Olympic windsurfer.

Personal life

Dempsey married yachtswoman Sarah Ayton in October 2008 just two months after she won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In June 2009, they had a son, Thomas-Flynn, and another son Oscar in March 2012. The couple broke up in late 2012. Dempsey has an interest in photography.

Achievements

YearPositionWindsurfing classEvent
2016RS:X – Men's Windsurfer
2015RS:X – Men's Windsurfer2015 Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland
2013RS:X – Men's Windsurfer2013 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships Buzios
2012RS:X – Men's Windsurfer 2012 Olympic Games – Men's sailboard
2009RS:X – Men's Windsurfer2009 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships Weymouth and Portland
20084.RS:X – Men's Windsurfer 2008 Olympic Games – Men's sailboard
2006RS:X – Men's Windsurfer 2006 RS:X European Championships
2006RS:X – Men's Windsurfer Holland Regatta
2006RS:X – Men's Windsurfer Semaine Olympique Française
2006RS:X – Men's Windsurfer HRH Princess Sofia Trophy
2006RS:X – Men's Windsurfer Rolex Miami OCR
2004Mistral – Men 2004 Summer Olympics
2003Mistral – Men Saronikos Gulf Regatta
2003Mistral – Men XXXIV Princess Sofia Trophy
2003Mistral – Men Athens Eurolymp Week
2002Mistral – Men Kieler Woche
2002Mistral – Men North Sea Cup Series – Herne Bay
2002Mistral – Men SPA Regatta
2002Mistral – Men Sail Auckland
2002Mistral – Men Sail Melbourne
2001Mistral – Men Kieler Woche
2001Mistral – Men XXXII Princess Sofia Trophy
2001Mistral – Men Athens Eurolymp Week
200016.Mistral – Men 2000 Summer Olympics
2000Mistral – Men Kieler Woche
2000Mistral – Men North Sea Cup Series – Pevensey Bay
2000Mistral – Men Penta Mistral Cup
1998Mistral – Men 1998 Mistral World Youth Championship