Sailor trio at Olympics Games eager to make South Africa proud
THE three sailors representing South Africa at the Olympic Games are fired up and eager to battle it out on the water at Enoshima Yacht Harbour in Tokyo at the weekend.
Alex Burger and Benji Daniel, who four years ago claimed top honours at the 29er World Championships, will be competing in the 49er class while Leo Davis is contesting the one-person Finn class. Davis previously represented the country in rowing but switched sports in 2018 with the aim of qualifying for his first Olympic Games.
“I'm feeling strong,” said Davis, whose father, Greg, will also be in Tokyo as his coach. “My preparation has been going well and I am approaching the event with an open mind. I've had some good coaching and have been training against some really good sailors. The reality comes and goes. I think it will really feel real once I get there and wear the national kit. I'm happy with the progression I have made in the last month and I am very excited to get to Tokyo.”
Burger and Daniel are coached by two-time Olympian Asenathi Jim, who competed in the 2012 and 2016 Games along with Roger Hudson in the 470 class.
Olympic preparations have been hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic which has made travel and gaining international exposure and big-fleet experience difficult, but Jim said he had confidence in his team.
“I really have great belief in terms of the team and the preparation we have done. I believe the boys have an ability to train solo and then shine on the big stage. So, as coach, I want to believe that the amount of hard work we put in on home waters will convert into a good result at the Tokyo Olympics. It's also very important to actually enjoy the moment because you don't get it too often. It's every four years, it's not like you're going to do it every month,” he said.
The sailing programme in Tokyo gets under way on July 25 and runs until August 4.