Getting used to the conditions

Evi Van Acker updates us on her progress out in Qingdao

Out in China a significant number of sailors are now out training in preparation for the Olympic Games. However, a few classes still have major events to go before the Games get underway. Evi Van Acker in the Laser Radial is just one sailor preparing for both the Olympics in August and the Radial European Championships coming up in early July.

Following the World Championships in Australia, young Belgium, Van Acker has been spending a significant amount of time out on the water in China, where she is at present. “After the Worlds we went to Hyeres and then we did the Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland and then we came here,” she explains. “We have been here for three weeks and we are going home in two days.”

Having spent so much time out on the water in China Van Acker says she is getting used to the much discussed conditions. “They have been great actually,” she comments. “We have got sailing in most days. Mostly it has been light winds, but then we have also had some breezy days too. The current has been strong as always and we have been having a lot of seaweed lately which has been annoying. I am sure they will do something about that though.”


Above: Seaweed in Qingdao

In fact the large amount of seaweed floating around has been discussed to a great extent on the internet since photos started circulating around a week ago. Evidently the weed has been caused by storms blowing the seaweed onto the coast. However, this is already being remedied to some extent. “They have very old boats that they take the seaweed out of the water in. But it looks like it has been getting worse and worse every day so far though.”

In spite of the predicted light wind conditions Van Acker has not been trying to lose as much weight as possible. “I am not on a crash diet, no. Other people might be going very light, but I do not really care about the rest of them. I do what I feel is right,” she comments.

As for her major competition at the Olympic Games, Van Acker recognises three main contenders: “I think in the Olympics Anna Tunnicliffe will be a big threat. Jo Alleh has been sailing well at the Pre-Olympics both years and Sarah Blank has been sailing well,” she says. However, she also adds that the Radial fleet is one of the most open and almost anyone could be at the front.

Much has been spoken of the light weather on Qingdao. One of the major factors many are worrying about is the possibility that the results of the Games could be based on just one or two races if the wind fails to materialise for most of the regatta. With only one race needed to constitute a series this does seem a real possibility, but Van Acker believes this is unlikely. “I suppose it is possible but we cannot do anything about the weather. It is not something we are able to control, so we just have to live with it and do our best,” she comments. “I think we will get all the races in anyway. In the last two years [at the Pre-Olympics] we have done all the races and I do not see it being any different this year. Also we have something like four spare days so I think that will not really be a problem.”

As you might imagine, Van Acker says she is very excited about the up and coming Olympics and representing her country there. “I am taking every day as it comes and I will see what happens, but it is not like I am really counting the days,” she says. In spite of this the Belgium does say that with the event fast approaching the days seem to be flying by faster as the big event gets closer.



But before the Olympics get underway, Van Acker has to contend with the Laser Radial European Championships. The event will get underway on 12 July in her home country of Belgium and marks the last major regatta most will attend before the Games kick off. Van Acker won the Europeans in both 2006 and 2007, so she is heading to Nieuwpoortin an attempt to secure her third consecutive title. “I will do my best. I am looking forward to it especially as it is in Belgium. It is nice to sail at home for once as that does not happen that much. I think the conditions will be similar to China, so that should be very good.”

Although Van Acker will be sailing in her home nation and trained in Nieuwpoort as a child, she probably does not have a great home advantage having raced their very rarely of late. “The regatta is about one hour from where I live,” she comments. “This year I have not been there a lot, But I trained there a lot in an Optimist when I was younger.”

The reason Van Acker has not sailed in Nieuwpoortmuch recently is not due to the venue, but to the lack of competition. In fact she says she loves sailing at the venue, which is on the North Sea with very strong tides. She explains that sailing is not a very popular sport in Belgium and this is the reason she does not sail at home that much. But it does have some advantages. “Because sailing is not that big in Belgium, there is really not any pressure on me for the event. There is always some pressure but there is no more this time than at any other regatta.”

After the Olympics Van Acker does not plan to stay full time sailing, but does have a general plan about what she wants to do. “I am planning on going back to school. I am not quite sure what to do yet, but I think I am going to do a Masters following my chemistry degree. I will be doing a lot less sailing I guess in the first year and then will get busy and work towards the next Olympics. So I do have a plan,” she comments.

We wondered whether after four years of Laser Radial campaigning Van Acker would be moving on to face a new challenge when it comes to her next Olympic campaign. “I am not tempted to go and do mach racing or something else. I am perfectly happy in the Laser at the moment. I do not want to start match racing or sailing in any high performance boats. I am happy in the Laser so why change it?”

Certainly it will be very impressive if Van Acker can make it three in a row at the Europeans. However, at this time it is hard to escape the feeling that only the Olympics matter. Van Acker is clearly focused on the Olympic end goal as are most other Olympians and with a little over a month left, the countdown can now begin in earnest.