Yachting: White prepares for Olympic gold

1.00pm

Sailor Joanna White has been enjoying a week at home before heading to Athens to start final preparations for her shot at gold.

Last month in Santander, Spain, the 25-year-old and her team finished 10th in the World Yngling Championship -- a ranking that secured them entry into this year's Athens Olympics.

So how does a young woman make it from the waters of Rotorua to the greatest sporting spectacle on earth?

"It has been nothing but hard work," said White. "It has taken over my life."

White began her sailing career on Lake Rotorua.

"It was a great place to learn," she said.

"Its shifty conditions make it interesting to sail on."

She was not always keen, however. "I used to have to be pushed out crying in my little Optimist (dinghy)."

The class of yacht White sails, the 18ft Yngling, is making its maiden appearance at the Olympics. The yachts require a three-person crew to operate three sails.

The other two members of White's team, InspirationChallenges, are Canadian-born Sharon Ferris (founder and director) and Napier's Kylie Jameson.

"The team's schedule is hectic," White said.

Since November last year every day has started with two hours in the gym, four on the water and the rest tied up in boat maintenance, administration and chasing sponsors.

"I'm in charge of updating the team's website," she said, laughing, "which is why it's not updated often."

Not all teams at the professional level perform their own boat maintenance but White prefers it that way.

"You get to know your boat a whole lot better and you know what has been changed."

White is straight up about her chances of winning,

"We've got a good chance, the field is wide open.

"Because it's such a young competition the results are extremely varied.

"Whatever happens it'll be a hoot."

"I don't think I'll go to the opening ceremony - too much hype. I would realise the enormity of it, and the team just wants to focus.

"I'll be partying hard for the closing ceremony though."

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)