Defending Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke say they’re ready to measure themselves against the best yachties in the world at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Test Event.
New Zealand has six sailing crew in Enoshima for the Olympic Test Event which begins on August 17th.
Burling and Tuke arrived on August 10th and have experienced mixed conditions on the water.
“It’s really providing a bit of everything, right now there’s a typhoon not too far away so we’ve got some big swell and a light breeze so it’s quite challenging,” said Burling.
“We pride ourselves on trying to be good in everything from light wind to the windy stuff, and from flat water to waves, but it’s tough here, you’ve got to work hard everyday because it’s a tricky place to figure out,” added Tuke.
With temperatures sitting in the low 30s Burling and Tuke been focussing on their decision making processes.
“Trying to make good decisions when you’re hot is challenging but it’s the same for everyone and you’ve just got to try do it better than everyone else,” said Tuke.
The Rio 2016 gold medallists have enjoyed mixed success since returning to the 49er and believe the Tokyo 2020 Test Event will give them a good indication of how their dream of defending their Olympic gold is tracking.
“It’s really important for us. It’s an event we put a lot of weight on, you want to do well a year out from the Games and we’re looking to put a good result together,” said Tuke.
Laser sailor Sam Meech has also been on the water and is excited to test himself in high intensity racing in a Olympic style fleet.
“This is a chance to race at the venue with the guys who’ll be racing at the Olympics so you get to experience this heat and have a trial run,” said Meech.
“I’m expecting some pretty tight racing, everyone’s fired up and ready to go. For us this is the last big event of the season so everyone will be out there giving it their best.”
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