Interview with President of the Australian Soling Association - Paul Glaser.

by Jessica Statham on 11 Sep 2000 Sail-world: Paul, tell me what you're doing at the moment in the Olympic village.

Paul: Saturday was set-up day down here at the centre, where we prepare for the measurement. The measurement is of the yachts, their sails and all of their gear. That's to ensure that the class and the Olympic Rules of Sailing (ISAF rules) are complied with. That's what I'm doing at the moment.

Sail-World: Have they all measured up?

Paul: No. There have been a few areas where they've had to go away and do some things, but no one in the three men keel boat class )the Solings) has failed. They've all got through so far. I can't speak about the future. Let me give you an idea. We've got the top sixteen soling sailors in the world and that applies to every class here at the moment. There's no reason to think that they possibly could not comply under the rules, which they've been sailing under all of their lives.

Sail-World: How have the Australian Soling competitors been doing in the world rankings?

Paul: The representative for the Olympics is Neville Whittey who is very experienced, and a young crew of David Edwards and Joshua Grace. They came through the training ground of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. They sailed what we like to refer to as small Soling's, they're called Ynglings. They won a World Championship in that class.

Sail-world:So where and which course will the Solings be sailing on?

Paul: Solings are the only class that will race outside the heads as a fleet .That will be in Farm Cove near the Opera House. They will race right up until the last day and hopefully the last race will be the final that will be under Spinnaker, finishing just below the foot of the steps of the Opera House. So it will be quite spectacular under Spinnaker. We had seven very strong contestants in the past four years and the Sydney crew of Whittey, Edwards and Grace emerged to win, beating in their final Matt Hayes who was our Atlanta representative. We'd like to think they've got a fairly good chance.

Sail-World: Have any of them sailed of the Soling contestants sailing in the Olympics before?

Paul: Many. We've got World Champions and Olympians, Gold Medallists. Jochen Schumann has sailed four times in the Olympics and all four times were for medals. Three gold and one silver. One in the Star Class and three in the Solings. He's been a World Champion. The Russian George Shaduko a World Champion and Gold Medallist. They're everywhere and they're just walking around.

Sail-world: Whats it like to work with all these athletes, how do you find them?

Paul: You find out how casual and how relaxed they are and how serious they are about their craft. They're very easy to get along with, they're polite and courteous and they treat people as human beings. I think that's one of the great things about sailing. No matter where in the world you go, I've always found that there's a relationship where people feel comfortable around each other. No matter what level you're talking at even with the very elite athletes, the Schumann's, the Jasper Banks, you'd never know that they were star performers just by looking at them.

Sail-World: Certainly we've found everyone very friendly.

Paul: Our National Measurer Glen Reid in Solings. He runs in the Whitsundays a yacht charter business with 55 in the fleet for both bareboat and charter work. I hope you're going to give sailing a good viewing on the Net as I think it will be the showcase of our Olympics.

Sail-World: We'll be out there on our boat everyday taking pictures and looking for stories. It should be the main event of the Sydney Olympics, its going to be spectacular, it's free for all to view.

Paul: The backdrop will be spectacular and if nature favours us with good wind it will be just a classic regatta. And don't forget outside the heads for the sailing of the Solings, Stars and Tornados for the first two days. They'll start on Monday.


Sail-world: Thank you Paul for your time.

Paul: You're welcome, feel free to come along and see us during the week.