By Gary Anderson

October 8 - Steve Morrision (left) and Ben Rhodes have called time on their 12-year partnership on the waterGreat Britain's Steve Morrison and Ben Rhodes have announced that their 12-year long partnership on the water has come to an end with both sailors admitting that their time together had reached its peak following this year's World Championships.

The 49er duo finished in 11th place in Marseille and, after much soul searching and discussions with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Olympic Manager Stephen Park and the Olympic Steering Group, both Morrison and Rhodes decided they wanted to pursue other avenues and opportunities in the sport.

Having first competed together professionally in 2001, the pair went on to claim some notable success on the international stage with the highlight being crowned world champions in 2007 in Cascais, which was sandwiched between a World Championship bronze in 2006 and a silver in 2008.

"We've had a great run over many years but I think the result at the recent Worlds just cemented our thinking that our partnership had probably run its course," admitted 32-year-old Rhodes.

"The obvious high point for us was in 2007 - the year as a whole.

"I think we won pretty much every event we entered including the Worlds so that was a real peak.

"There's nothing better than when things are going well and you're doing that with your best mate."

Steve Morrison (left) and Ben Rhodes in action during the London 2012 49er competition in WeymouthSteve Morrison (left) and Ben Rhodes in action during the London 2012 49er competition in Weymouth

























Following their World Championship win in 2007, the pair went on to finish a disappointing ninth at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, despite going in as one of the favourite crews.

At London 2012, their performance improved significantly but it was still not enough to secure a medal, as they ended the competition in Weymouth in fifth place.

"Ben and I have sailed together for so long and have been successful almost across generations of 49er sailors managing to stay on top of our game, so we've shown pretty good adaptability and good teamship skills," said Morrison. 

"After the worlds this year we had to look each other in the eye and look at ourselves in the mirror and say for whatever reason we've plateaued.

"As hard as that is to say, equally you've got to look back and say that we were the best in the world for a while, and not many people get to say that.

"We've had a really good career as a team but it's time to move on and try exploring different avenues."

The Exmouth-based sailors, who claimed the 2006 European Championship title at Weymouth, are both keen to explore sailing campaigns outside of the Olympic classes, and have been excited by the move in professional sailing towards high performance boats, evidenced by the recent dramatic America's Cup competition, which saw former Team GB teammate Sir Ben Ainslie play a crucial role in a memorable comeback win for Team Oracle USA.

"There are other guys from our team like Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy [and] Chris Draper who've gone on to the America's Cup," said Morrison, who did not totally rule out a return to Olympic 49er sailing, admitting that if the right opportunity and crew came along he would consider having a tilt at finally securing a meda medal at Rio 2016.

"It's an exciting time for the sport of sailing with high performance boats becoming much more the benchmark of sailing, and that exactly suits our background and where we have come from in our sailing."

Morrison and Rhodes won European Championship gold in 2006 before taking the World Championship title the following year in CascaisMorrison and Rhodes won European Championship gold in 2006 before taking the World Championship title the following year in Cascais

























Rio 2016 is not on Rhodes agenda and the father-to-be is keen to try other forms of sailing as soon as possible.

"I feel I've a lot to offer a high-performance sailing team, whether that be in Extreme 40s or Melges boats or whatever it is," he said.

"I'd be pretty keen to give everything a go."

Park paid tribute to the efforts of Morrison and Rhodes and their contribution to British sailing over their more-than-a-decade together on the water.

"Stevie and Ben have been fantastic competitors at the front of the world 49er fleet for some years now," he said.

"They have delivered great performances for Great Britain over the years, but ultimately didn't manage to deliver their best performances at the Olympic Games.

"I am sure they will go on to deliver many more top performances in other forms of the sport, and wish them well for the future."


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