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New Zealand’s top Olympic class sailors descended on Tutukaka in November, making a return to the unique training waters where the Tokyo Olympic group spent time prior to the 2020 Olympic Games.
With 2023 shaping up to be a busy year overseas for members of the NZL Sailing Team and squads, this was an opportunity to project through to the Marseille Olympic and put plans in place for next year.
“The purpose of the camp was two-fold, as it gave athletes a chance to discuss and plan a purposeful build up through to 2024, while also giving the wider NZL sailing squad the opportunity to hone in on how they go about their work. Connectivity across all levels is something we value and this was great to be able to do in Tutukaka. It’s very rare where there is a chance for all sailors and coaches to be in the same place.” says YNZ talent development manager Geoff Woolley.
The 49er, FX, and Nacra teams also spent the rest of the week sailing in the challenging open water conditions off the Tutukaka coast.
Guest speakers joined the squad to talk about everything from nutrition, planning campaigns, and performing under pressure.
“It was really valuable to have everyone together and Tutukaka is an amazing training venue to sail from. It provided an opportunity for all of the squads to get away and fully immerse themselves in a performance environment."
The next few months will see the sailors compete in key local events including the NZL Oceanbridge Regatta and Nationals for most classes, before heading off to Europe as early as February for some.
“It’ll be a busy 2023. There is the Olympic test event in Marseille in July, and also the combined World Championships which will be in the Hague, Holland during August. This will be the first opportunity for our sailors to qualify their class for New Zealand for Paris. There will be a big focus this year on spending time on the water in Marseille and further understanding the conditions” he says.
The Olympic Games will take place from 28 July to 8 August 2024, with competing classes as below:
- Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 (Laser)
- Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 (Laser Radial)
- Men’s Skiff – 49er
- Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
- Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class - new
- Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class - new
- Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil - new
- Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil - new
- Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 - new
- Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17
