Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Rio Olympics - Ain't nothing to it but to do it

by World Sailing on 5 Jul 2016
Jonas Hogh-Christensen (DEN) Silver Medalist in the Finn class - August 5, 2012 - Weymouth, England Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz
Sometimes in sport, and in life, you have one of those days where everything goes beyond your wildest dreams.

To get to this point, hard work, hours of practice and full time dedication is required but when it all clicks and it comes together there is no better feeling.

Denmark's Jonas Hogh-Christensen put a robust campaign together for London 2012, with clearly defined processes and goals. Days before the competition started the great Dane had hit each target and minutes before the first race his coach, Kristian Kjaergaard said, 'ain't nothing to it, but to do it.'

'That sort of became the motto of our campaign,' explained Hogh-Christensen, 'because it was just go out and do what we had practiced.

'We had a long checklist going into the Games of things we had to achieve and reach and two days before the Olympics, we looked at the list and it was all green knocks. And therefore I felt as prepared as I could.


'There was nothing I could really do to be more prepared so it was just to go out and do whatever we had practiced and worked on and that started out really well. And almost got to the gold.'

The Danish sailor came out of the blocks flying and on the opening day everything he had been working towards came to fruition, 'I think my best Olympic race was the first race at the Olympics in 2012. I nailed the start, crossed the fleet and pretty much controlled the fleet from there on and that started a great Olympics.

'I actually ended up winning the second race of that day as well so it was probably my best day in sailing ever. It was a fantastic feeling with overwhelming support when I got back in. It was one of those days where everything came together. I hit all the shifts right, I went fast and nailed the starts. It was just perfect.'

Two race wins on the opening day of the Olympic Games, anyone would bite your arm off to take that, but it doesn't always breed success down the road. Just ask Annalise Murphy of Ireland who won the first four Laser Radial races at London 2012 and finished fourth.

After that opening day, Hogh Christensen became embroiled in one of the great all-time battles of the Olympic Games. Titled 'The Great Dane versus Big Ben', Hogh Christensen and Great Britain's Sir Ben Ainslie fought a brutal series of races.


Just as Hogh Christensen thought he'd put some space in-between Ainslie, the British racer hit back and it resulted in a winner take all scenario in the Medal Race with just two points separating the duo.

In an enthralling Medal Race Ainslie pulled in all of his experience to fend off the Dane to become king. Hogh-Christensen was left slumped in his Finn, the onboard camera showing an immediate, live impact as the disappointment hit.

'I think most people thought Ben was a shoo-in,' reflected Hogh Christensen. 'We managed to put together a campaign on a tenth of the budget, in half the time and managed to probably give Ben the biggest run for his money ever.'

Four years on and Hogh Christensen is back and will be on the start line at Rio 2016, doing it all again. He concluded, 'I am just 4 years older, my body is a bit more crooked but I am that more experienced as well.'





Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeMaritimo M600Rooster 2025

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman.
Posted today at 2:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20
Posted today at 12:11 am
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion.
Posted on 11 Jul
Tough conditions test Morris
As iQFOiL World Championships wrap up The iQFOiL World Championships have drawn to a close in Aarhus, Denmark, following a week of light and unpredictable wind that tested both race officials and athletes to the limit.
Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda.
Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles.
Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Posted on 11 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!
Posted on 11 Jul
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water.
Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted on 11 Jul