Sinem Kurtbay and Akseli Keskinen are at a good pace in the Nacra 17 class. They won silver at the European Championships and the pair of silver medals from the Tokyo Olympic Games were left behind in the World Cup competition. Canada is competing for the world championships this week.
Joel Holma,
Heikki Ali-Hokka
Nacra 17 is a fast sailing class. The 17-foot catamaran travels up to 25 knots, or about 50 kilometers per hour. At such speeds, the crew’s cooperation must be seamless and roles must be clear.
Even in difficult and stressful situations, we act systematically and even the vocabulary to be used is precisely agreed in advance, Sinem Kurtbay and Central axis explain.
– Akseli is more responsible for the boat, i.e. making sure that the boat runs fast and I can look around and make decisions. I follow other boats and the wind and put our boat in the right places, says Kurtbay.
There has been enough momentum. The collaboration between 31-year-old Kurtbay and 23-year-old Keskinen started at the Tokyo Olympics, where they took 13th place. This year, the names have been found significantly higher in the result lists.
In April, at the opening of the World Cup in Mallorca, the Finns finished second. Among others, the British couple who won silver in Tokyo were left behind Anna Burnet and John Gimson. It was a fine scalp.
– Of course, it gives motivation and the desire to go even harder. Our class has changed a bit and nowadays we foil (fly with the help of an airfoil) also against the wind. It’s a bit of a new class, so everyone starts from the same line, says Keskinen.
The success continued in July at the European Championships in Denmark. Second place came from there as well. Only the Italian couple Caterina Banti and Ruggero Tita was faster.
The collection of Olympic points will start from next year’s World Championships
Canada is competing for the world championships this week. The pair is aiming for a medal, but the real target is still in the Olympic waters of Paris two years from now.
– All other races are stages that you have to move on from and do well in them too. You have to perform in important competitions. When it comes to Paris and the Olympics, it’s more familiar. Glad we made it to Tokyo. There was an Olympic feeling and we know what to expect next time, says Kurtbay.
A year from now, the World Cup is another matter. They start collecting the coveted points towards the Olympic Games. In Paris, the goal of the Finnish couple is a medal.
There is enough will and know-how, but a familiar problem for sailors remains unsolved: money. Racing sailing is an expensive sport and the Canadian World Cup project alone costs more than ten tons.
– This class of ours is such that the more money there is, the more it can be used. Can develop boat, foil and mast, bring in external coaches. You can always develop more and more, says Kurtbay.
Kurtbay and Keskinen have been looking for sponsors. It hasn’t been found yet, but a few private individuals have dug up the picture. The trip to Canada was successful, but the Euros for the rest of the season are still missing.