470 TRAINING CAMP IN SOUTH AFRICA DEVELOPS YOUNG TEAMS
26 Feb 2015South African 470 sailors have been joined by teams from Canada and Sweden for an international training camp, set against the iconic backdrop of Table Mountain.
The two-week training camp taking place from 17 February-2 March, is led by 470 Olympian Roger Hudson. Hudson explained, "We are focussing on short intensive racing in the light morning winds and big offshore handling and racing in the windy afternoons."
Joining South Africa's teams are Canada's brother pairing of Jacob and Graeme Saunders and the Swedish team of Freddy Koch/Marcus Dackhammer. In the South African line-up are 8 young sailors from the development squad. Several already have international event experience, including 18 year old Alex Burger who sailed Kiel Week 2014 with Asenathi Jim. Also joining the camp is twenty-two year old Sibu Sizatu partnered with Asenathi for the 2013 Junior World and Junior Europeans Championships. Asenathi is Hudson's usual helm, and the pair represented South Africa at the 2012 Olympics.
Hudson concluded, "So far, Cape Town has served up a fantastic variety of conditions and the international guys seem to be loving the sunshine, the good breeze and plenty of unique experiences of Africa."
All great preparation for South Africa's hosting of the African Continental Olympic Qualification event for the 2016 Olympic Games.
