VITA'S OCEAN DRIVE

Team GB's youngest sailor loves high pressure which is good as Heathcote has her medical exam straight after Paris

- ALAN SMITH

VITA HEATHCOTE will soon shift focus from chasing medals to a career in medicine.

The Hampshire sailor plans to retake her university entrance exam a couple of weeks after the Olympics having delayed enrolling to focus on striving for glory.

And the 23-year-old, who will be at the helm alongside Chris Grube in the 470 event, is looking to follow in the footsteps of family, both on the water and in the NHS.

Heathcote's mother, Kate, is an ENT surgeon who used to bring her daughter on hospital ward rounds at a young age. Uncle Nick Rogers was a silver medalist in the same event at Athens and Beijing - although Heathcote credits her boatbuilding grandfather as the earliest influence.

"I really struggle when I go somewhere not near the water," said Team GB's youngest sailor. "I've been next to it all my life.