Handley works in the sewer

By JULIE ASH

Nathan Handley is one of Team New Zealand's mid-bowmen and believes he is the real workhorse in the team.

Under the eye of veteran New Zealand sailor Joey Allen, Handley has learned about life below deck in the "sewer."

He remembers seeing action shots of the sewer on television, with water pouring in on the crew working below.

"The first time I got down there, Joey said 'Welcome to hell'."

On deck above, Handley is gybing the spinnaker pole or working in the pit, trimming the foreguy or grinding on the mainsheet pedestal.

He joined Team New Zealand in 2000 after a successful sailing career in 49ers.

With Team New Zealand colleague Dan Slater, Handley represented New Zealand in the 49er class at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, finishing eighth.

Their Olympic campaign followed a string of successes at the national and South Pacific championships and the Spa Regatta in the Netherlands.

Learning the ropes of America's Cup-class sailing has meant a big adjustment for Handley.

"With the 49ers, there are just the two of us. At Team New Zealand there are about 80 or 90."

Handley's cup campaign suffered a setback in the cup jubilee regatta in Cowles last year when a spinnaker pole broke and whacked him in the head.

"I suffered moderate head injuries and had bad dizzy spells for a while, so I had to have six months off."

He has fully recovered and is looking forward to helping New Zealand defend the cup.

After that, he says, he mayjust return to the 49ers.

"After our eighth in Sydney, we are pretty keen to get our hands on one of those medals."

Nathan Handley - mid bowman

Age: 29

Place of birth: North Shore

Nickname: Nath

Career highlights

2000: Olympics, Sydney, 49er class, 8th (with Dan Slater); 49er nationals, 1st (also 1999, 1998 and 1997); 49er South Pacific champs, 1st; 49er Spa Regatta, 1st.

1999: Hobie World Masters, 1st (with his father Harry Handley).

1998: Hobie World Masters, 1st (with Harry Handley).

1997: Laser II worlds, 1st.

Hanging out in the sewer packing sails - it's a tough job but someone has to do it.



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