Cooks learning new skills at Australian regatta

Team Cook Islands at the Australian Laser National Championships have overcome a range of weather conditions on the first two days of racing in Melbourne.

Day two of the regatta saw the young duo of Joshua Ioane from the Aitutaki Sailing Club and Vanic Teina from the Rarotonga Sailing Club struggle in lighter conditions on the second day of racing. Teau McKenzie is also part of Team Cook Islands at the regatta and is sharing her experience with the two rising male sailors. Here coach Taua Elisa reports on the team’s performance so far.

“Joshua and Vanic were struggling today with their weight in these light weather conditions. But the boys went out with a positive attitude in the 4.7s today.

The boys struggled on the start line today, but Vanic was more energised to get on the start line early to look for a good starting position for him. As for Joshua, he is a little scared to get on the start line early and fight for a good position for him. Anyway, off the start the guys’ speed wasn’t as fast as the others.

The boys finished towards the back of the fleet in both races but we took some positives and negatives and put it towards our goals we need to work on for tomorrow’s racing. The main thing today was, the boys were able to understand more about big fleet starting and big fleet sailing in shifty conditions.

Goals for tomorrow – downwind speeds, good start, sail fast and beat the Aussies!

In the radial class today the world champion was the stand out in today’s racing with Australia’s Kristal Weir winning the first race in the yellow fleet in tough sailing conditions. Teau’s starts today was fantastic – the acceleration off the start was perfect, she just needed to get that extra bit of hiking to keep her boat flat to generate speed. I am happy with Teau’s sailing today – I think today is her type of weather. She is very confident in her boat and just need that little tactic plan on the up wind to hold her place. But she is improving every race in her sailing abilities and she is building up her confidence in bigger fleet sailing and looking at cracking some good results tomorrow!

Another great day in McCrae, Melbourne.”