Ashley happy to fly under the RS-X radar

by Dana Johannsen, NZ Herald on 20 Jul 2008
Olympic year always brings bold predictions of Kiwi medal success, but when it comes to forecasts in Beijing, boardsailor Tom Ashley has generally flown under the radar.

Not that he minds.

Typical of his reticent nature, Ashley is quite happy to do without the hype and fanfare that often comes with lofty Olympic expectations.

Away from the glare of the giddy New Zealand public, the RS:X World Champion has been quietly going about his business, putting the finishing touches on his preparation in Valencia.

So far, all is going to plan for the 24-year-old Devonport man. Ashley is enjoying the relaxed environment in Spain, where he is training alongside a number of other boardsailors he will line up against at the Olympic regatta.

'I'm keeping things pretty low-key and trying to stay as relaxed as possible,' he said.

'It doesn't help to get too wound up about things. I've had all the training planned for months and it's just a matter of sticking to it and doing what I planned all those months ago.'

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