Sailing Magazine
The Delta Lloyd Regatta in Holland has happy memories for RSA Olympic hopefuls Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim who compete in the Men’s 470 dinghy class.
“We’re excited to be back in Holland at the Delta Lloyd regatta, a very special event for us, for several reasons. Firstly, because we won it in 2014 – a great moment for us, our first victory on the Olympic circuit, and the first win by an SA team on the circuit for 10 years. Secondly because the sailing partnership between Asenathi and myself started at this event in 2011, when Asenathi was just 19 years old. At 23 now Asenathi is becoming a real force in Olympic sailing and when I look back I’m so proud of how much has developed in his sailing and his life over this period.
But we still have many mountains to climb to get to our ultimate goal, which is to se South Africa win its first ever sailing medal at the Olympics.
The 2015 Delta Lloyd regatta is another step on that climb, and of course we would love win it again, but our main aim is to sail fast, smart and consistently and to make it to the medal race (top 10) on Saturday, and then take it from there.
The competition will be fierce as ever because the event is a qualifier for the 3rd World Cup event in Weymouth UK in 2 weeks time. From the forecasts, it also looks like there will be a few big breeze days, which we’re looking forward to, both being from Cape Town!” said Roger Hudson
Asenathi Jim is not a man of many words, but one can read his excitement into the statement he made prior to the commencement of the event.
“We are exited to be back at the Delta Lloyd regatta as defenders. It’s really special to also remind ourselves where we began as a team – and where we are today. Its defiantly not going to be easy, but we always feel confidant in what we do. We are looking forward to this week of racing” said Asenathi Jim.
Also competing in the same event are two other RSA teams.
Stefano Marcia will be competing in the Men’s Singlehanded Laser dinghy, while Graeme Willcox and Andrew Tarboton will be in the two-man 49er skiff dinghy.
All three teams are looking to qualify the country for Rio 2016 in their respective classes – so follow their progress this week.
