SAILING Mag RSA August 2016 issue 385 to ZINIO

and three races, and then we made a ridiculous bungle on the tow out to
the start on day three, sailing over the tow-line as it went slack in a moment
when the coach-boat slowed down, and then getting it hooked behind
the centreboard as the coach-boat re-accelerated. We damaged our Mylar
gasket in the centreboard casing quite badly and with almost no time before
the start, we had to cut away the damaged parts with the boat on its side,
out on the water, just before the start of race four. Somehow, boat on its side
bouncing in the waves, I got the gasket into half decent shape with a pair of
scissors, but in honesty it was a mess for something that needs to be 100%
perfect for the boat to be fast at this level. Anyway, we closed our eyes, took
a deep breath and went to the start. Somehow we had a decent first race
and then we won race 5, chasing down the German Olympian all the way
round the track from second place, and then nicking him on the gybe-set
on the final downwind to win it. I thought we were going to have a disaster
that day with a badly damaged gasket, yet we went and took the lead of the
world championship with a race win. It was crazy. The next day we were in
the yellow jerseys and I don’t even have a photo of that to remember it!
Who has had the most influence on your campaign, and in what way?
Stefano. Rudolph Holm and Gareth Blackenburg, Rudi had starting
taking me to my first overseas events and from there we have always linked
up for training and coaching when I’m back in SA. Gareth has always
offered his help and guidance through my campaign. Rudi and Gareth have
always been willing to help me out all the time and given up so much of
their time to train or reply back to my sometimes annoying questions.
Asenathi. Roger Hudson for sure. He is the person who believed in me
and who has been a role model. I don’t think I would be who I am today
without him and his hard work.
Roger. In the big picture, my Dad for sure. The way he qualified
for Barcelona in 1992 at 45 years-old sparked an inspiration in me that
drives this project today. He is a unique treasure. More immediately,
Asenathi is a major key to this project, because of the sheer scale of the
challenge that he has risen to. To me he has redefined the meaning of the
word ‘transformation’, performing an astonishing self-adaptation from one
extremely harsh and difficult world, the South African Township, to another
extremely harsh and difficult world, International Olympic sailing. He has
endured the pain of this transition with a strength that is truly Olympian.
His success brings a relevance to this project that enables it to be so much
more, and to do so much more.
And then, on a daily basis, Lucia, the love of my life and mum of my
little children, who backed this project 100% from the start and throughout,
even though it meant that we would spend many years living on a very
tight budget. She supports and works for the project in all sorts of ways that
almost nobody even knows about. Her sacrifice is greater, and her upside
is less than any of the others involved, and she does it all with a grace and
unflinching commitment that is inspiring. If anyone deserves a medal after
all of this, she does.
What are your realistic expectations in Rio?
Stefano. At this stage being 40 odd days out of the Games a realistic
finish would be in the top 25 which isn’t a horrible result, but isn’t what
I want to get, so I’ve set my goal higher to finish top 15 by the time the
Games finish.
Asenathi. We made a goal right after London 2012 Olympics which is
to be in top 10 in Rio. It is not easy to reach, but we are doing everything
we can to live up to our goal to be in the top ten allows us to challenge for
a medal.
Roger. We’ve said since London 2012 that our goal for Rio is a top
10 finish. It seemed a very long way off for a small African sailing team in
September 2012 when we were ranked 47th in the world. Today we are
ranked 15th and finished the 2016 Worlds 11th, so on paper we are close,
but not quite there.
Nonetheless, I believe 100% that if we perform at our potential
between August 10 and 18, we will achieve this goal and maybe more. This
in spite of the fact that I know that the top 20-odd 470 teams in the world
are all utterly exceptional sailors and have all run brilliant campaigns, some
for 20 years. But I do believe in our potential. And I know at this stage that
the key is simply to do the things that will put us in a position where we can
perform at our potential in Rio. It may sound simple, but this is the biggest
sailing week of our lives. Half of it will come down to years of preparation,
and we have prepared very well, as have the others. The other half will
come down to rising to the occasion.
What is your wildest dream for Rio?
Stefano. Winning a race at the Olympics and being in a position to win
a medal for the country would be a fairy tale finish to this Olympic cycle.
Asenathi. A Gold Medal.
Roger. It involves shiny metallic discs clinking together as Asenathi and
I hug one another.
What do you hope to bring back from Rio?
Stefano. I would love to come back with a medal, but that’s a little far
fetched. I know I will learn a lot from taking part in such a prestigious event
and I hope to encourage the youth to chase their dreams and be the future
of the sport in our country.
Asenathi. A Gold Medal around my neck.
Roger. More hope and belief in a great future for SA Olympic sailing.
And shiny metallic discs.
Any thanks you would like to express?
Stefano. There are so many people I need to thank so apologise if I’ve
left anyone out. Firstly I would have to thank my dad for being very pushy
and supportive. He has always taken me training or to places I’ve needed to
be, no matter the time of day. Evelyn and Malcolm Osborne who started me
out in sailing and gave me my first lessons on Benoni Dam. Rudolph Holm
and Gareth Blanckenberg for being the mentors any up and coming sailor
needs. Then there are Mike and Barbara Hayton who have given up so
much time to help organise and fund my Olympic campaign - thank you for
the support and for backing AMTEC Racing.
Asenathi. I would like start off with my team mate and mentor Roger
Hudson for all the things he has done for me. Then there’s everyone else
that’s involved in our team, who have helped me get to where I am right
now. Not only in terms of sailing, but in all parts of my life. David Hudson
who has supported us wherever he can since the beginning of this seven
year campaign. Then a big thanks to team RaceAhead and all the people
who are involved to make things happen behind the scenes, especially
Lucia Grundlingova. To our Federation, a big thanks for getting boats
into the country to allow the campaign to be based in South Africa and
making it possible for us to include young South African talent. Finally to
our sponsors who played a big role in making this campaign work and for
being behind it all the way to the Rio. They are: Southern Charter Wealth
Management; Open Box; Homechoice; Synergy; Macsteel; AMTEC; SAS;
SASCOC and the IOC. And a big thank you to all our followers and
supporters.
Roger. Many, unfortunately too many to mention them all here. But to
everyone who has followed and supported us through this campaign, you
should know that every word of encouragement floats us a little higher and
moves us a little faster.
I must especially thank those who have backed us financially and
enabled the campaign. To South African Sailing, particularly Rob M’Crystal,
who got behind us and the 470 project immediately after London 2012.
More recently Philip Baum and Peter Hall, for driving forward Lotto
funding at SAS and for having the courage to implement South Africa’s first
objective - a results-based Olympic sailing funding structure. To SASCOC
for strongly and consistently supporting us through Operation Excellence
since April 2013. To the IOC for supporting us with funding since August
2014. To Southern Charter and Mark Thompson. OpenBox Software
and Malcolm Hall. Synergy Income Fund, especially William Brooks and
Sedise Moseneke for sponsoring our project for the full four-year cycle. To
HomeChoice and Rick Garratt. Macsteel Maestros and Gill Marcus. Lastly,
and not least is AMTEC, especially Mike Hayton who has supported us
since 2014 with funding and other vital support to our campaign. Together
you’ve made it all possible.
Finally, What message would you like to give to those thinking about an
Olympic campaign?
Asenathi. If you want to campaign you need to go all out and be able to
accept disappointments along the way, but the rewards are huge.
Roger. The Olympics is about brilliance. About seeking and finding
your own special ability to be brilliant and measuring that brilliance against
others from all over the world. All in the name of doing yourself, your
family, your community and your country proud. In pushing for this we
find ourselves under immense strain and pressure at times. But amazingly,
whether your brilliance ultimately falls short of the competition, or proves
to be victorious, there is the most incredible contentment in the knowledge
that you truly gave your best to such a cause. What really stands out to me
is how the process of struggling and striving to one’s maximum tends to
teach the secrets to a happy life. As Aristotle said, “the roots of education
are bitter, but the fruits are sweet”. The same could be said for Olympic
campaigning. •
18 August 2016 SAILING | www.sailing.co.za