Britain’s podium-topping sailors were today welcomed home to London, and to the news that leading long-term investments provider Skandia has confirmed its continued support of the British sailing team for the next four years.

Skandia Team GBR, the British sailing team in the Olympic and Paralympic Classes, was honoured at London County Hall, with Ben Ainslie, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb, Pippa Wilson, Paul Goodison, Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, among those awarded keepsake trophies – bespoke models of their own boats – from Skandia. A number of young sailors hoping to gain selection to compete at London 2012 were also present.

Skandia Team GBR supports more than 70 sailors in the Royal Yachting Association’s World Class Performance and Development squads – 18 of those sailors were selected to represent Team GB at Beijing 2008, with a further six were chosen to compete at the Paralympics next month.

Skandia has a long history of sponsorship in the sport of sailing, having sponsored Skandia Cowes Week for the past 14 years. Having announced title sponsorship of Britain’s national sailing team competing in the Olympic and Paralympic classes in 2006, Skandia have today confirmed the continuation of this support until 2013.

RYA Olympic Manager, Stephen Park commented: “We are proud to arrive home with our best ever result at an Olympic Regatta, and as the world’s most successful sailing nation. This success is not achieved overnight, but is the culmination of decades of work.

For the team preparation for 2012, as it did for 2008, started many years ago, and new challenges lie ahead as we prepare to compete on home waters in Weymouth in four years time.”

Iain Percy added: “The sporting success of Skandia Team GBR is dependent upon many factors. Talent alone isn’t enough these days, you need a good support network behind you, from logistics to physiotherapists, nutritionists to psychologists, Skandia Team GBR relies on a vast team of specialists in all fields to support us whilst we are on the water wherever we are in the world. Of course, much of this would not be possible without the support of the RYA and of our team title sponsors, Skandia.”