HUME IN THE MIX AT OCEANBRIDGE NZL SAILING REGATTA
19 Feb 2022The 470 is the oldest class in Olympic sailing, having made its debut at the 1976 Games, but it's taken on a new look for the 2024 Paris Olympics having gone to a mixed format.
It's also brought about a change at the Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta and the majority of entries in the 470 this week are mixed combinations.
Sitting on top of the standings today was a familiar face, three-time Olympian Paul Snow-Hansen, but his crew is less well known, Rebecca Hume, who represents the new breed of 470 sailors.
Snow-Hansen is still working out his next move, and a training session on Wednesday was his first time back sailing a 470 since last year's Tokyo Olympics.
He took up the offer to team up with Hume for the Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta and the pair won three of today's five races sailing the same boat Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox used in Tokyo, when they finished just outside the medals.
A growing fleet of mixed 470 sailors has emerged in the past 12 months, and Hume is excited about the opportunities ahead as she sets her sights on the Paris Olympics.
"With the move to the mixed 470 we have seen a lot of new people giving it a go," said Hume, who has two sisters also competing at the regatta. "Everyone has been quite fluid, jumping in and out of different boats and teaming up with different partners.
"I was looking for a skipper for this event and fortunately Paul was available. I’m learning so much, so many small details in the way you move through the boat that a coach might not pick up outside the boat. It’s like having a coach sitting alongside me, and really intensely, for three days."
Snow-Hansen and Hume revelled in the beautiful sailing conditions of 12-15 knots off the Takapuna Boating Club today, like many across the various fleets.
They hold a two point lead over Brittany Wornall and Sam Street, with Sofia Higgott and Andre Van Dam a further four points behind in third.
Official Website / Results
Source: https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/