Courtesy Dan Slater
What was the first boat you sailed?
Dan Slater: The Optimist.
Is there anyone who significantly influenced your sailing career?
DS: Craig Monk.
How did you learn the racing game?
DS: I learned at Murray’s Bay Sailing Club. You have sailed many different boats at a world-class level.
You have sailed many different boats at a world-class level—how did you master the Finn so quickly?
DS: I started sailing Finns in 2005. To bring me up-to-speed quickly, I was given all the tuning notes from past Kiwi Finn campaigns and I bought all of their gear. I learned the boat and gear quickly; I had to work on the jockey.
What’s your secret?
DS: I would have to thank the team at North Sails NZ and the guys who coached and helped me to get to the stage I’m at now. I have really focused on light air in preparation for China.
Do you have any Finn tips?
DS: I feel that moving the mast fore and aft with the centerboard is the biggest thing in keeping the boat balanced.
After getting involved in the class, you helped develop new masts and sails for the Finn. Do you think this work helped you to understand the boat more thoroughly?
DS: For sure it’s helped me understand the rig, and after two years of work I feel I have the same or a better understanding of the other gear available. The advantage is that only I will benefit in the Games from any further improvements from this point on.
Do you have any interesting uses of Harken?
DS: I used a Micro block to create an adjustable JC Strap—I’m the only one in the world who has it set up adjustably. To reduce weight, I only use Carbo-Cam® cleats.
How do you prepare, both physically and mentally?
DS: I do three weight training and five cardio sessions per week. Mentally, I make sure I’m enjoying myself—all of my best results have come from times when I’ve been having fun on and off the water.
How do you deal with the stress of racing?
DS: I keep good people around me; they’re all mates as well.
How do you prepare your boat before a race?
DS: I wet-sand the hull and rudder and inspect every shackle and block. After I finish the checklist, I often take my boat for a sail the day before an event to do a final check.
What would you miss on your boat if you forgot it?
DS: My Harken mainsheet ratchet block!
What is your most memorable race?
DS: There are many, but finishing 4th in the 2005 I14 Worlds with a boat that I built and rigged myself was very cool. The regatta had a few good 25-30 knot races to sort out the fleet.
You’ve been involved in Olympic sailing for over ten years, taking 8th in the 49er in 2000 and then coaching the NZL 470 team for the 2004 Games. Why did you get involved in single-handed sailing and start campaigning in the Finn for 2008?
DS: Actually, I only sailed single-handed until after I campaigned in the Laser for the ‘96 Games. I looked at the conditions in China and thought that given my size, the Finn class would be my best chance at winning a medal.
You’ve been involved in so much, from coaching Optis to taking part in New Zealand’s AC defense to participating in the Olympics as a sailor and a coach. What’s next?
DS: Undoubtedly new projects will come along, but I enjoy it all, so I have no preference about what comes next.
What advice would you give a sailor that is new to the sport?
DS: Enjoy the challenge and the people in the sport; the results will take care of themselves.
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