The Marseille Olympic Regatta ended with seventh and disappointing. After a long project, Kurtbay took a break in his career.
Sinem Kurtbay will no longer continue his top sports career on the Finnish sailing team. The decision matured during the autumn after the Paris Olympics.
33-year-old Sinem Kurtbay sailed three Olympic dates on the Finnish national team. The Rio Olympic dream collapsed just before the decisive qualifying competition. In Tokyo Kurtbay represented Finland with his fresh pair Axis of the central With a 13th place. The Kurtbay of the Tokyo race site reached Janne Järvinen with. The lakes were not selected for the Olympic team because of a judgment on the Katiska drug.
Kurtbay and Keskinen went to the Paris Olympic Games with medal expectations. The Marseille Olympic Regatta ended with seventh and disappointing. After a long project, Kurtbay took a break in his career.
– I made a list of the plus and the cons of and I got a clarity of what I don’t want to do. I have had time to digest the idea, and I’m with you that I will no longer continue on the Finnish national team, Kurtbay comments to Sports in New Zealand.
– At this point, it would be difficult to start a new project with a young junior. Energy may not be enough for that. I am a age that I have to think about the future, the potential family and the financial coping.
“Everything possible came to be done”
The termination decision was not easy. Kurtbay, who has achieved the European Championship silver and World Championship bronze, is happy to remember the good moments on the national team.
– The team was great and they will be missed. You can always joss it, if something should have been done differently, but I don’t regret anything. Over the last twelve years, everything possible for a career came, Kurtbay says.
– I’ve gone through all the emotions. I’ve been sad, scared. The situation has been scary and difficult. Three OlympicDs under the Finnish flag are enough. It’s time to go ahead and try something new. I’m excited about that, something good is definitely coming.
As Kurtbay pondered the continuation of his career, Akseli Keskinen, who worked as Gastina, went on. He started practicing the role of the skipper and got alongside Catherine Roihun. The two tested their cooperation at the European Championship in early November.
– I’ve been in contact with the axle and Catherine. Their mood is good. The role of the skipper is suitable for the shaft and I help them when needed.
New challenges in the sport
Kurtbay has been in New Zealand for almost two months for sailing. The competition has not disappeared anywhere. Kurtbay has trained and competed in a fast moth class. This is a one -person folk boat that can cost € 65,000. Kurtbay has received sparring and new learning in the international top group.
-I’m too small for the Moth class, but the goal is not to win. Moth is the best way to learn from sailing technically, physically, every point of view. Next year’s main race is the Moth World Championships in Italy in July, Kurtbay smiles.
Kurtbay’s world citizenship continues as the upcoming home can be found in Finland and Marseille. Everyday life is filled with sailing in different ways.
-I was watching the Sailing Sail GP competition in Auckland. An 8,000 spectators were built on the race site. There were music, people and activities. The sailing was of interest and it was brought close to the audience, Kurtbay says.
-It would be great to participate in the Sail GP series. And if funding were to be found, also in the America´s Cup.