We spent 4 weeks training in Auckland before the 2019 Worlds started. There were many international teams who had the same idea. Because of this, there was no shortage of top notch athletes to race against each day. We would spend an hour each day on speed and individual skills before joining in with other countries on a race course. Four weeks is a long time. The best part about this training block is that 28+ days of routine = the best way to build good habits. We haven’t been in one place that long in the entire time we have been sailing together, so that month of training in Auckland gave us the opportunity to greatly improve our routine. We were finally able to see what wasn’t working, change the habits, and then see a result at the end of the racing block.
Going into Worlds we were the strongest team we have ever been. It is, as always, a privilege to represent our country at a World level and we also felt a strong sense of patriotism as the event approached. We knew we had leveled up, and were excited to get out on the race course. Just because our team had reached a new level of ability doesn’t mean that we could guarantee that everything would go perfectly. Something will always go “wrong” it’s just our responsibility to consider these moments opportunities instead of obstacles.
We had some amazing racing as the event started. Unbelievably focused as a team, extremely fast, resilient in mind and body. An injury and some equipment failure on days 3-4 had us begin to stray from the routine and the confidence we had worked so hard to build. We worked through these challenges together, growing and learning the whole time. It was hard but extremely rewarding to finish the last day of the event strong with a top 5 finish. We ended up 23rd and not satisfied with our results. We several areas with easy gains moving forward.
In the middle of January we head down to Australia for a 3 weeks of training before 2020 worlds in Geelong. This is the 2nd Olympic trials event and the final hurtle in between us and qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. We have all the tools we need and are ready to give it all we got!