49er World Champions discuss Sailing DNA and pressure

Odile van Aanholt and James Peters discuss topics such as ‘sailing DNA’, competition pressure, and teamwork.

The podcast “Get Ready for the Best,” powered by Allianz, provides a preview of the largest sailing event ever held in the Netherlands, taking place from 10-20 August. Moderator and sports journalist Chris Wobben invites special guests to the show as the sailing world prepares for the Allianz Sailing World Championships.

In the third episode, airing on 19 July, Wobben speaks with Odile van Aanholt, European and world champion in the 49erFX, and British sailor James Peters, a former world champion in the 49er class. Both sailors were practically born into the sport.

“My father opened a sailing school when we moved to Curaçao,” says Odile, whose father Cor holds a world title and Olympic title. Peters adds, “I was four years old when I first went sailing alone. My parents had a boat. My father inspired me, but my sister, who was better than me at everything, also contributed to my drive.”

Long Journey

Odile sails with Annette Duetz, while Peters teams up with Fynn Sterritt. She says, “Finding the right partner was quite a journey because you are highly dependent on that person. You only really know if it works when you are under real pressure. Training together alone is not enough.

“Now with Annette, we have the ideal weight; we are very open, critical, and she is strategically and technically very talented. Additionally, she has a lot of experience.”

Sidekick Nicholas Heiner

In addition to conversations with interesting guests from the sailing world, former Olympic Finn sailor, 2014 ILCA7 world champion, and Ocean Race participant Nicholas Heiner provides a column in each episode, shedding light on sailing and sharing amusing anecdotes.

The four episodes of “Get Ready for the Best” can be listened to on the Audiohuis Spotify channel and the social media channels of the Allianz Sailing World Championships, World Sailing, and the Royal Dutch Watersports Association.

The first episode, featuring Olympic champion Kiran Badloe and double Paralympic medallist Alexandra Rickham as guests, was released on 5 July. The final episode, with Hilbert Bredemeijer, Alderman of Sports, and multiple world and Olympic champion Marit Bouwmeester, will be available on 26 July.