Britain's world class sailors as you've never seen them before

Paul GoodisonSkandia has commissioned award winning photographer Robert Wilson to create a portfolio of stunning images of Britains national sailing team at the 2012 sailing venue in Weymouth and Portland, Dorset.

Featuring gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Andrew Simpson, Pippa Wilson and Paul Goodison, the images will be displayed in a striking exhibition, entitled Blown Away, at Londons gallery@oxo from 30 September until 4 October 2009

Skandia teamed up with critically acclaimed photographer Robert Wilson to showcase the worlds most successful national sailing team at work. For five days Wilson and Art Director Greg Horton immersed themselves in a Skandia Team GBR training camp at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, giving them behind-the-scenes access to 14 of Britains top sailors as they embarked on the path to gold medal glory.

Through a combination of evocative portrait shots, vibrant and surreal imagery taken using slower shutter speeds and highly detailed action shots, Robert Wilson has created a set of powerful images that capture the varied and demanding nature of Olympic classes sailing and the personalities of those involved.

Wilson commented: What struck me most about the sailors was the physical demand placed upon them and their ability to adapt to the constantly changing parameters that they have to work with. They are always on the move, adjusting every part of their bodies for balance and trim as the wind and waves change around them.

Triple Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie said: To compete at the highest level requires a lot of hard work and dedication as a team. We have to put in the hours whatever the weather and the images really capture this. We are all looking forward to seeing the exhibition.