Via NH Nieuws
The Dutch sailing team seems poised to bring in the Silver Fleet at the Tokyo Olympics. At least, according to some people on the shore. Jaap Zielhuis, head coach of the sailors, however, guards against too great expectations: “We are in good shape, but crazy things always happen in sailing.”
But it looks promising for TeamAllianz. They will travel to Tokyo with three world champions: Marit Bouwmeester (Laser Radial class), Kiran Badloe and Lilian de Geus (windsurfing).
Bouwmeester back after injury
One of those world champions, Bouwmeester, had to deal with a major setback in her preparation for the Games. In early April, she suffered an injury as a result of acute overburdening of an elbow. That was a shock, but now the Olympic champion of Rio de Janeiro is doing well again.
“It’s back in one piece and it’s participating again,” said a satisfied Bouwmeester about the joint. “It was actually a classic tennis elbow. But you use your arm a lot in sailing anyway, so it bothered me for a really long time. And I also had a few setbacks that I didn’t expect.”
But that’s all behind us now. “An injury is never the nicest period for an athlete. But it has been good. I am well rested and looking forward to the coming period.”
‘Five golden medals is a lot’
In addition to the three world champions, something may also be expected in Tokyo from Lobke Berkhout and Afrodite Zegers (second at the World Cup in the 470 class), Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz (world champions in 2018 and 2019 in the 49’er-FX class) and Nicholas Heiner (second at the 2019 World Cup in the Laser class).
Sports data agency Gracenote even dared to predict that the Dutch sailing team will win Olympic gold five times in Tokyo. Head coach Zielhuis thinks that’s a bit too much: “I’m confident, but a lot of success is being attributed to us.”
“Five times gold is a lot. That’s not going to happen. It’s still sailing and it’s still wind and water. The potential is there, but then all the dimes have to fall right. Something always happens in sailing that makes it just not happen.”
Moreover, because of the corona crisis, there is less visibility into the competition. “For example, we don’t know what the Chinese have done,” Zielhuis said. “We haven’t seen a Chinese windsurfer for a year and a half. And China is a strong windsurfing country.”
“It will be special Games and there are quite a lot of uncertain factors. We just have to do what we do best and keep our eyes on the prize. We have to be able to cope well with all the craziness that these Games are going to bring. And then we’ll see what we come back with in August.”
Allianz Regatta as preparation
This week, many Olympic sailors will be in action at the Allianz regatta, the new name of the Medemblik regatta. The international sailing competition has regained its world cup status since this year and eight of the ten Olympic disciplines are sailed. Only the 470 class for men and women is not on the program.
Bouwmeester is happy: “In the Laser Radial, all my big competitors are here. Competition rhythm is the only thing I’ve been missing lately. So it’s great that this event is now in Medemblik. A nice preparation for the Games.”
