Point Yacht Club
Kingston Laser Worlds Standard Mens
Kingston, Canada: 2 – 8 July
Brothers, Rudy and Mike McNeill prepare to pack their
bags as they head off to the Kingston Laser Worlds Standards Mens in Canada
from 2 – 8 July.
On the back of the SA Laser Nationals held in Durban at
the beginning of May, the sailing duo have had a good build up to this massive
event where only 158 sailors are being allowed to compete. The competitors will
be split into different fleets with roughly 50 boats lining up at the start.
Rudy (24) has an notable CV in the Laser class, having
travelled to all parts of the world representing South Africa. Last year was
not a good year for the young sailor, “I was out for most of last year with
injuries, so it was a welcome return being back on the water and able to
perform. I was happy with the rehabilitation of my injured knees and ankle.
Leading up to the KZN Champs and Nationals, Mike and I worked hard to improve,
pushing each other which helped to build up both of our confidences quite a
lot.”
This is the one and only opportunity the two lads
representing the Point Yacht Club have to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
“There were times I had to dig deep at the Nationals. It
wasn’t all easy, I got two sixes but fortunately I won the other races on those
days. I kept telling myself to get over the previous race, focus on the new
one. My mantra became ‘You are Rudy McNeill, do what you do, don’t worry! Enjoy
it.’ It worked wonders.”
He admitted, “If you look at the starboard side of my
mast, I wrote my name there to remind myself of where I have come from and
where I want to go! If ever I doubted myself, I would just look at that, know
that I am experienced and build from there.”
Older brother Rudy has had the good fortune of competing
in Kingston before, having competed at the ISAF Youth Worlds when he was 16. “I
have been lucky enough to compete in Kingston before, so it isn’t completely
foreign to me. But big fleet racing is always challenging especially the start,
the huge jostle on the line with everyone trying to get into a good position.
The starts can make or break your race.”
20 year old Michael has just moved up to the full rig which
has a bigger sail. Big brother Rudy boasted, “Mike is still 10kg to light for
the full rig. If he puts on a bit more weight he is going to go much faster. In
the recent nationals, he was only three points off experienced sailor, Campbell
Alexander, so he did quite well. In the light winds, he cooks but he needs a
bit more confidence in the stronger winds.”
Canada in July is glorious, and the waters off Kingston
offer some of the best fresh-water sailing in the world. Having previously
hosted the 1976 Olympics at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, it seems fitting
for the McNeill brothers as they tackle a week of epic sailing in the hopes of
qualifying for the Olympics.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za
