Rowing great Hamish Bond has signed with Team New Zealand to defend the America’s Cup as an “opportunity not to be missed”.
The triple Olympic gold medalist will use his huge rowing fitness and cycling credentials, which earned him a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the 2018 time trial, to be in the “cyclors” unit that will dominate the Kiwi boat at Barcelona 2024.
The New Zealand team attached their engine camera to a 75-foot monohull enclosure with other cross-country athletes. The tie is joined by Dougal Allan, a two-time winner of the Coast; former professional road rider and Monticker Louis Crosby; and world rowing championship Cameron Webster.
Anna Peters
Hamish Bond has three Olympic gold medals from his time at Rowing New Zealand.
Back from defending the Cup at Auckland 2021 are old rider Simon van Velthooven, and miller Louis Sinclair, Marcus Hansen and Marius van der Pol.
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Olympic bronze medalist Laser sailor Sam Meech also proved himself in the strength of the exhausting test process that was carried out in the selection trials last December.
The 36-year-old, who has also won eight world titles in rowing, is sticking with the latest reincarnation of the sport, saying: “There’s little life left in an old dog.”
His interest is at the point when he returned from the Tokyo Olympics where he won gold in the men’s eight and heard the “drums” coming back to the Cup stage.
John Cowland / PHOTOSPORT
Rider Hamish Bond proved to be competitive. Now he will be in another chair.
But when his wife Lizzie started an orthopedic surgery fellowship at Duke University in North Carolina in the United States, he didn’t see how the logistics could work out.
Communications with Team New Zealand revealed the timeline indicated he could be involved if he passes strict tests.
“It lit a flame,” Bond told Stuff.
Maintaining an “honest figure” while looking after the couple’s three children, Link adjusted his fitness program to prepare for exhaustive tests before Christmas.
His rowing and cycling gave him extraordinary strength for his weight. While other hopefuls were having trials with the encouragement of members of Team New Zealand in Auckland, Bond went at it alone, feeding his data remotely.
Emirates Forum NZ
Dougal Allan’s fitness trial was monitored by Team New Zealand coach Kim Simperingham.
“It was one of the hardest tests during the course of my life. The simulation race was very challenging. It was a lot of pain, but you hold yourself back, and your experience helps you,” he said.
Bond will continue training in the United States before joining the team in Auckland. Since racing less proven boats is not required, there is a lot of time to spend in mourning for the next challenge to get a great boat.
Team New Zealand’s progress to the America’s Cup has been eagerly followed, beginning as a ninety-year-old in the red socks days of Sir Peter Blake in 1995. Olympic gold medalist single bowler Rob Waddell’s inclusion in three Cups since 2003 has been compared to kinship. In 2017, there was another reason for the rowers and cyclists who designed it to increase the number of piles.
Bond does not have a yachting background, and suggested the idea of doing some sailing, but admits that there is no comparison with what is done in boats that drive close to 100kph.
“Like getting off the wagon and then getting into a Formula One car.”
Emirates TEAM NZ/Suff
Lewis Crosby’s cycling career helped him land a job with Team New Zealand.
Without an actual sailing role in the AC75, Bond will be content to deal with the speed and safety requirements in what will be extensive practice sessions before Barcelona.
Team New Zealand has a successful history of including athletes from other areas of this crucial power, including Waddell; gold medal double sculler Joseph Sullivan; swimmer, kayaker and surf lifesaver Steven Ferguson; and Van Velthooven who transferred his medal-winning cycling skills to become one of the first cyclists to win the Bermuda Cup in 2017.
Team New Zealand coach Kim Simperingham was confused by the four trials and eventual lessons from the tests which were a combination of short maximum power tests as well as longer endurance tests.
“We had a really interesting week of cycling to test the existing teams for our cruise as well as a list of potential new candidates, who took all the bodies to their absolute limits for tests,” he said.
“The two main physical qualities that were sought” are athletes who can withstand high power for the length of the race – up to almost half an hour – and athletes who can also achieve high peaks in power, which will be used. for course in course. “
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Team New Zealand cyclist Cameron Webster.
VIEW – Forum NZ The New Cyclists
Dougal Allan: International multi-player battle with 15 years of experience. A two-time winner of the New Zealand Coast to Coast course record holder is the Wanaka Challenge.
Hamish Bond: One of New Zealand’s most decorated athletes known for his exceptional dedication, focus and commitment to success. Third Olympic Gold medalist in rowing with back-to-back titles in the men’s coxswain in 2012 and 2016 with Eric Murray. He also won eight world championships. The tie switched to eight to claim eight Olympic golds in Tokyo 2020. He also competed at the highest levels in cycling, having competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze in the road cycling time trial.
Louis Crosby: A former professional rider who belonged to Pure Black Racing competing internationally in the Americas and South-East Asian Circuits. Moves into mountain biking and multi-sport competition.
Cameron Webster: Part of the elite rowing squad of New Zealand between 2016-2020, fighting for the world championship in pairs, four and eight. He finished competitive rowing in 2022 and is completing a law degree while starting a career as a cyclist.
