Title: TEAM TACTICS
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Blog Entry: They have been known as a team, but in reality it's been in name only. Now our Olympic sailors are changing all that by adopting a new caring and sharing approach as they prepare for the next Olympics in London. Greg Ford reports. -------------------- CRAIG MONK isn't sure why it hasn't happened before but he's rapt it finally has. That much was apparent before the amiable Kiwi Olympic bronze medallist headed off on his latest sailing jaunt this month. Monk is sailing for a Swedish syndicate in the latest round of the Louis Vuitton World Series in beautiful Nice in the south of France. Nice gig, that, or so it would seem, getting paid to sail in the Med. Monk, though, was ambivalent about the trip. He's finding it harder to leave his young family for extended periods. And then there's the growing affection for the sailing that doesn't pay the bills but ignites his passion for the sport. Monk has teamed with Hamish Pepper in the Olympic Star class. Both men are making another tilt at the games; Monk having won a bronze in 1992 and Pepper missing out last time in China. They own the only Star boat in New Zealand. It's been several years since one has graced our waters; Pepper deciding to transport one down from Europe so they could sail and train over summer. It's an exciting addition to the local sailing scene, to which both men have rebounded after many years away from home, sailing for different nations. One of the reasons they are so keen on the Star is a novel approach the Kiwi Olympic team are taking. For the first time Monk can remember (meaning it's probably never happened before) the team are acting, well, like a team. They are meeting on a regular basis, training together and sharing information on their preparation and different venues around the world where they will sail as they prepare for the games. "It's never really happened in the past like it is happening now," said Monk. "When I first came into the team (more than 20 years ago), it wasn't a team in the conventional sense. All the sailors operated in silos, preparing as individuals in different parts of the world and coming together only at the big regattas. "It was just the way it was done, more for practical reasons, really. We all got handbags b on but did our own thing. Now there is a greater emphasis on working together and helping each other out, if that can make life easier for one another." Monk credits Jez Fanstone for the change in team culture. Fanstone is best known as the coach of triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie. However, he's been on Yachting New Zealand's payroll since late January and is effectively the team's new head coach. "I'm not saying (collaboration) hasn't happened before," said Fanstone. "I think the beauty of New Zealand is people, they recognise they do need to work with each other because it is a small country. The difference is we have put things on a more formal footing. "I think that helped everyone realise they have common challenges and they are better off dealing with them as a group, rather than individually." Again, it's surprising this has not happened more in the past, given how successful New Zealand has been in the water at Olympics over the years. We have won more medals in sailing than any other sport, apart from athletics, and sailing hopes it won't be lon Other articles: http://www.myivita.com/blog/view/id_4117/ http://grudgematchtv.net/community/blog/view/id_3555/title_Elegant-accessories-to-dine-al/
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