CONNOR Bainbridge has been confirmed as Team GB’s men’s kite athlete for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, completing the 14-strong sailing team. 

Bainbridge earns his selection for Team GB following his victory at the French Olympic Week regatta last week, securing one of the five country quota places.

“It has always been my dream to go to the Olympics and it’s an unbelievable feeling for that to become a reality,” said the 30-year-old from Halifax, West Yorkshire.

“It’s definitely not been a straight or easy road to get here, with so many twists and turns over my whole career since I started windsurfing on a freezing cold lake in West Yorkshire, but it’s all been worth it and I can’t wait to represent Team GB at this summer’s Olympics.”

READ MORE: Connor Bainbridge earns Olympic quota spot for Paris 2024

Bainbridge won silver at the Paris 2024 sailing test event last summer, but narrowly missed opportunities to qualify Britain for a quota spot at the 2023 World Championships and European Championships.

He made amends for it at French Olympic Week, dominating the ‘Last Chance Regatta’ fleet for unqualified nations.

Bainbridge, who now lives in Portland, having also resided in Weymouth down the years, won nine of the 15 races, and confirmed his overall victory by taking the top spot in the four-athlete final.

Bainbridge will join Ellie Aldridge as Britain’s first ever representatives in the Formula Kite class, a new addition to the Olympic sailing roster for Paris 2024.

It will be the fastest event in the Summer Olympics with athletes hitting speeds of up to 50 miles an hour.  

The athletes ride a short board with a hydrofoil fitted to it, lifting them around a metre clear of the water. 

The power comes from huge kites which the athletes control using special lines attached to a bar. 

Each rider has selection of four kites of different sizes that can be changed based on the wind strength and conditions.

Mark Robinson, RYA Performance Director, added: “Connor has shown true grit and determination to secure Britain a place on the Men’s Kite start line at Paris 2024, and we are delighted he’s been selected to represent Team GB at his first Olympics.

“Connor has shown he’s got the drive and attitude to be an Olympian, and we’re all excited to see what he can do in Marseille this summer.”