大象传媒

. Over and out.

What an epic two weeks it's been here on the coast. I have never experienced anything so exhilarating. It's been a privilege.

The came here with a big reputation. They lived up to the billing and then some. Four golds, a silver and a bronze - six medals from 11 events. You couldn't ask for more.

On Thursday it was the turn of in the Star class. An amazing finish and the boys just did enough to win. Shirley and I were so excited we almost jumped in!

That was Percy's second gold after he romped away in the Finn title in , but when I interviewed him afterwards it was clear this one meant more. He and Bart have been mates for 25 years and both were almost in tears. I've said this before but to get in so close on such a moment in someone's life is an honour.

It doesn't matter if you've never been sailing or if you never normally watch sport. The dedication is inspirational. These Olympians have spent four, five or six years of their lives for the chance to live out their dreams in the greatest sporting show on earth. For those of us watching, from two feet or 2,000 miles away, it's spellbinding.

Some of the interviewing has actually taken me by surprise. When got in our rib just after nailing a great bronze in the RS:X windsurfing, I was obviously expecting joy, but not quite the outpouring of emotion she produced! First question and she started wailing. It was crying and laughing all at the same time. Amazing to see but not easy to get anything else out of someone in that state!

Accidental swearing has also come into play this week as well! Bryony let one slip and so too did Iain on Thursday. As you're asking the questions, you just don't expect to hear that. It took me a few seconds with Bryony to actually realise what she'd said! Still bearing in mind what they'd achieved, I doubt anyone was offended back home. I certainly saw the funny side.

Last night there were some serious celebrations going on. We went to a bar in our hotel with the team. Having not been out for the whole Games and with such an amazing climax to the regatta, everyone was ready to let off some serious steam. Sparky's (team manager ) speech came first and he made the very important point that the team's achievements had ensured the best possible Lottery funding for the next generation of British sailors.

After that the band started and the rest is history. It was great to see them all letting their hair down after what must have been an exhausting campaign. They are such a welcoming group of sportsmen and women, they really have made our job easy out here.

In one of our live hits out on the water on Thursday I think I said we should all be proud of what these sailors have done. It's not just what they've won but the manner in which they've won it. True sportsmanship and a sense of fun as well.

Talking to them last night, my instinct is that most will carry on for . It's just too good a prize not to.

From a personal perspective, it's been the most exciting two weeks of my career. Until this year, I had never worked on sailing and I was a bit nervous coming out to . But once I'd done a bit of homework and realised the guys were such a good bunch to work with, it was game on.

One of the things I was really keen on was breaking the stereotyped view of sailors. A lot of people seem to think it's pink shirts, collars up and Pimms. That's just so out-of-date. There are a whole range of characters on this team and every single one of them has worked hard and made huge sacrifices to be here.

With their achievements here in Qingdao, hopefully a few more people will recognise that.

So that's it from the south coast of China. I have run out of superlatives to describe the enjoyment and gratitude of being here. Two days of beers and dancing and then home. First stop my local caff for a fry up. You just can't get good egg and bacon sarnies here!

See you in Weymouth.