12 days of coaching across 4 countries and 2 continents, it has been a busy two weeks for Zealous' Head Coach, Sam McKenzie
Now four weeks into the season, Finland club, Brändö Seglare continues to grow as the 22 strong junior racing team prepares for May's national qualifications. Baltic Development clinics was an initiative set up between Zealous & Riga Yacht Club to grow and develop aspiring junior sailors in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The second camp will begin in two weeks time in Nito, Lithuania as the respective nations build towards the Optimist Worlds in Portugal later this year.
Meanwhile in Auckland New Zealand the NZIODA Worlds Team is preparing to the Optimist Worlds too. The team began their training last week along with NZIODA's other traveling teams. 3 awesome days of sailing with light wind and short chop provided the team with the perfect platform to improve technique and boat handling. The team will continue to work in New Zealand over the coming month, Sam catching up with them at the end of May for the final one month build up. To finish off the tour, Sam spent four days in Perth, working along close friend and fellow coach Alex Zimmermann, at WIODA's 4 day Performance and Development clinic. Held out of the Fremantle Sailing Club, it was excellent catching up with a few familiar faces, whilst meeting plenty of new ones. With over 40 sailors split across 2 groups both Alex and Sam had their hands full. The sailors had plenty of energy and focus as many of them prepare for IODA European, North American and Asian Championships later on this year. "It has been really nice to meet so many passionate and energetic sailors over the past two weeks. Whilst they are from different sides of the world they all share the same love - sailing. I'm lucky to have been able to do so much travel and develop so many invaluable relationships all over the world. As our network continues to grow we (Zealous Coaching Team) continue to learn. It is so exciting to see so much interest and passion for the service we deliver and we're looking forward to really making a positive impact on the World Optimist scene in the next 6 months in more way than one." - Zealous Head Coach, Sam McKenzie
Zealous Performance Coach, Andrew McKenzie begins racing in ISAF World Cup Hyeres, France today in the Laser Standard. We wish him the best of luck for the competition that will ultimately decide New Zealand Olympic selection for the Laser Standard and Finn Class.