Laura Baldwin signs up new Coach for Beijing 2008 campaign
by Laura Baldwin 10 Dec 2004 13:20 GMT
Laura Baldwin with new coach Thomas Guttormsen & Karin Soderstrom in Palma-de-Mallorca ©
www.laurabaldwin.co.uk
British Olympic sailor Laura Baldwin has signed up with Europe 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist Siren Sundby’s Coach, Thomas Guttormsen along with two other Scandinavian sailors; Elin Samdal from Norway and Karin Soderstrom from Sweden. The Team was set up before ISAF changed the Women’s Single-handed Class from the Europe to the Laser Radial however, it was decided by all concerned to continue with the new partnership.
“Sailing is sailing, no matter what the class,” Laura insists. “The same principles apply so, as far as I’m concerned, working with Europe sailors and a Europe coach will still work. We will be getting some Laser experts to coach us all on the specific techniques and there will be 20 plus Standard and Radial Laser sailors from Norway, Sweden & Germany joining us in January so we will have plenty of people to learn from and to race with. I still believe we have a winning formula.”
The Team has just completed its first week of winter training in the Laser Radial in the great training venue of Palma-de-Mallorca. “The set up is working very well; both the Yacht Club and gym are within walking distance of the team apartment which means we can use our time to the maximum benefit by not wasting time travelling.
“My sponsor SiS is keeping me fuelled with the energy I require to keep working hard each day by eating Go Bars on the water and drinking Rego Recovery Protein shakes after each physical session. We´ve had quite a few fronts passing the island this week bringing strong wind and rain but my Gill clothing is keeping me warm and dry so bad weather isn’t affecting my training schedule.”
Jeep has also renewed its support for 2005 with a brand new Grand Cherokee Jeep with graphics changed from Athens 2004 to Beijing 2008. ¨The Jeep is the ideal transport vehicle for an Olympic Sailing Campaign as it is powerful enough to effortlessly tow a heavy trailer with boats and is spacious enough inside to carry all the equipment required. It is pure pleasure to drive!”
Follow Laura´s campaign on her web site www.laurabaldwin.co.uk