Olympic story - Aussie Angels at home in Greece

by Di Pearson on 20 Jul 2004 Just a month shy to the start of the Olympic Games, ‘Aussie Angels’ skipper, Nicky Bethwaite, says she and her Yngling crew of Karyn Gojnich and Kristen Kosmala (all Sydneysiders) are pretty much where they want to be in the lead up to the Athens Games.

Bethwaite, who with Gojnich, were the first Australian female sailors to represent at Olympic Games, which they did in 1988 at Seoul in the 470 class, finishing sixth, is the ‘elder’ of the team. I don’t think she will mind me saying she recently turned 49 – just a tad older than team member, Colin Beashel.

Speaking from the land of moussaka and olives this morning, Bethwaite said, ‘our equipment is good, our boat speed is excellent, our boat handling is the best in the fleet and our health and fitness continues to improve.

Having learned yesterday that their coach, David Adams, had been accredited for the Games, Bethwaite commented, ‘this is a great bonus – it will give us continuity and stability in the last vital few weeks.’

She said that Athens was coming alive as the Games approach. Not unlike Sydney at the same time - although there had been a degree of nonchalance from the locals, she said that Athens was being transformed as the roads become less of an obstacle course and the tree, grass and shrub plantings give some colour to the surroundings. (Doesn’t it bring back memories of 2000?)

Although many of the Aussie teams have headed home for a few weeks, some not even returning until just a few days before competition starts, Bethwaite said, ‘our plan is to moderate our training slightly (taper down), make the final sail selections, and continue familiarising ourselves with the vagaries of the breezes, whether it's the Meltemi or the sea breeze,’ but she also stated that some sight seeing is on the agenda, ‘as it would be a great pity to have lived within a stone's throw of the islands or ruins thousands of years old, and only seen the boat park!’

Of the Games getting closer, Bethwaite said there was a strong team unity with plenty of advice and support between them all and that there had been a strong showing at the local Irish pub (to watch the Rugby match) at 10am last Saturday morning,
‘to combat those uppity Kiwi sailors who lost no opportunity to rub our noses in the All
Blacks win. They'll keep...’

What Bethwaite didn’t tell me first hand, was about the two awards she received last month; the first was receiving the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Yachtswoman of the Year Award, where she has been a member for three years. The club has been unbelievably supportive of their Olympic effort.

Incredibly, her older brother Mark was awarded Yachtsman of the Year on the same night for winning the Laser Grand Master Worlds for the second year in a row.

The second award, Life Membership, came from Bethwaite’s other club, Woollahra Sailing Club, where she has been a member for around 30 years, sailing Cherubs, 470s, Tasars, 29ers and 49ers.

She told me this morning, ‘actually, I am very honoured that WSC made me a life member, and I hope to be able to contribute in some way to continuing the development of the club over the next few years.

The Yngling class has a practice race on Thursday August 12, with Olympic Race one to commence on August 14.

*Aussie Angels website: www.aussieangels.org