SAILING: Australian sailors Elyse Ainsworth and Tom Cunich have tested the waters at Nanjing 2014 and are looking to the horizon of competition tomorrowt.
Ainsworth, 15, and Cunich, 16, will both be racing in Byte CII boats at the Youth Olympic Games in a sailing competition that runs from August 18-23.
Light winds have slowed the Aussie preparations, but Ainsworth and Cunich have still made the most of their time at Jinniu Lake Sailing Venue.
“We set our boats up on Thursday and put the flags and the AUS on them on Friday and they look pretty good,” an excited Ainsworth said.
“The venue is really different to what I’m used to at home. I’m kind of used to an open ocean but this lake is pretty cool so it will take some getting used to.”
Gold Coast sailor Cunich echoed his compatriot’s thoughts.
“It was hard but it was good fun out on the water- the wind was really inconsistent and really difficult.
“This is going to be a big learning curve. It’s going to be really hard” says the sailor who is used to racing a larger boat.
For Ainsworth, who has competed at the Junior World Sailing Championships, the Youth Olympic Games is a whole new kettle of fish.
“I’ve done a few international regattas before but this is pretty big and I’m not quite used to this. It’s pretty different to Junior Worlds- the atmosphere is really serious and it’s good to get used to.”
A seasoned competitor, Ainsworth has noticed a difference in life on and off the water in Nanjing.
“We’re all relaxing and having a good time in the village and the food hall, but when it comes down to the business end of things- I’m here for one thing and one thing only so let’s just get down to it!”
The Australians will compete in fields of thirty fleets at the Youth Olympic Games in the boy’s and girl’s one person dinghy events. Another 20 athletes contest the boy’s and girl’s windsurfing events- but Australia has not qualified for these races.
In total 100 sailors will fight for four gold medals at the second edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
Ainsworth and Cunich are part of an Australian Youth Olympic Team of 89 athletes led by Susie O'Neill as Chef de Mission.
Follow their performances at olympics.com.au and follow @AUSOlympicTeam on social media.
Taya Conomos
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam
