Sailing sisters ready for stormy waters

The Berry sisters from Gladstone will be facing their stiffest assignment yet when they contest the world open 470 class yachting championships in Holland, starting on July 12.
Emma Berry, 18, and Sarah Berry, 17, have competed successfully on the international stage in the youth classes _ including a fourth placing in the 420 class at the world youth championships in Auckland in 2007 _ but this time at least half of the 63 boats in their division will have fully professional crews aiming to produce results good enough to earn them Olympic selection.
And they will have the benefit of having competed at the top levels on a regular basis while the Berrys will have to overcome the disadvantage of a preparation limited because of a need to mix racing with their studies.
For instance they missed competing at pre-worlds regattas through Emma sitting examinations as she pursues a law degree at Victoria University. She is an ex-pupil of St Matthew's Collegiate in Masterton while Sarah is still a student there.
The Berrys are coached by their father Mark who told the Wairarapa Times-Age in an early morning phone call from London yesterday that his daughters were anticipating taking on the world's best but were aware of what it would take to make an impression in such esteemed company.
Mark said the prime objective was to make the gold fleet which would comprise the top 25 or so boats after a series of seeding races but even that would be a formidable challenge.
''They know they have to sail out of their skins to even get that far, probably better than they have ever sailed before,'' Mark said. ''This is the really big time and the standard is going to be huge. Any little mistake will see you out the back.''
Mark is confident, however, that his daughters will handle the ''dog eat dog'' mental pressures sure to be placed on them by their more experienced rivals who will be doing everything they can to impose their will on the youngsters.
''The intimidation factor is always there but they are pretty tough nuts themselves and I can't see them being too hassled in that respect,'' Mark said.