Slater gears up ASB Finn campaign

by Dan Slater on 24 Dec 2006 After a few months back home in New Zealand, I have had quite a busy time. I have been coaching sailors in a variety of different classes.

It has been fun working with the different groups, I even hopped back into a P Class last week to sail against some sailors from MBSC, I’d have to say that an extra 50kg and 15 years of not being in that boat made for tight squeeze and a severe lack of speed! I also started my fitness program, which was a shock to the system, especially after taking it easy for a few years.

My program involves 8 sessions per week, which I need to complete in 5 days. My body was aching after the first few weeks but now I feel good after dropping a few kilos and becoming a bit stronger. I have also been training on the water. With the help of Southern Spars and North Sails, we have been developing some new masts and sails, which I will be able to test early in the new year.

I am pleased to announce the sponsorship of 'THE SHED' in Taupo, which came on board last month to support my 2008 campaign. The Shed, for those driving through or going to Taupo is the big bar in the centre of Taupo where you can get great food and drink in a funky atmosphere. www.theshed.co.nz

I will be in the USA for a month, training in the Finn and racing in two regattas in Miami at the end of January. Having not raced the Finn since the China Test event in August, I am looking forward to getting back on the racetrack to test myself against the rest of the world again.

Following these two regattas in Miami I will return to NZ for the Sail Auckland Regatta Feb 8-12. In February, a Dutch Finn sailor is coming down to train with me and do some gear testing after the regatta. This will be great to try out some of the things that I have been working on (sails and masts) over the last few months.

Program for 2007
Jan
2X 10-DAY TRAINING CAMPS HAWAII / MIAMI USA
MIAMI OCR GRADE 1 USA
SHIP GEAR NZ- EUROPE
Feb
FINN MID WINTERS GRADE 2 MIAMI USA
SAIL AUCKLAND/ NZ NATIONALS
10-DAY TRAINING CAMP
March
DEPART FOR EUROPE 20TH
PALMA GRADE 1/ NZ SELECTION REGATTA
April
TRAINING CAMP FRANCE
HYERES GRADE 1 FRANCE /NZ SELECTION REGATTA
May
BREAK
PICK UP NEW BOAT
TESTING NEW BOAT 5 DAYS
June
EUROPEANS HUNGRY
SHIP 1 BOAT TO CHINA
KIEL WEEK GRADE 1 GERMANY
July
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PORTUGAL OLYMPIC QUALIFY
August
PRE OLYMPICS CHINA GRADE 1

My best wishes to all: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And to all the sailors I have coached recently that have big regattas coming up: All the best and hope you get your fair share of lifting shifts!

Dan
NZL 1