New Zelander Jo Aleh competed in four Olympics, and coached in a fifth, during a 16-year span. The 38-year-old Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 470, who also competed in the 2024 Women’s America’s Cup, offers her view on these topics:
On finishing seventh in the 49erFX at Paris 2024:
It was more of an adventure than any of my previous Games. It was a lot tougher in many ways – with a new boat for me, jumping in the deep end – but it was really enjoyable overall. I love the FX. It’s definitely the most fun thing I’ve sailed. It’s challenging and athletic, and it can definitely punish you if you get it wrong. It was an awesome experience trying to do something that was always going to be super-hard. It was definitely a lot of fun.
On being off the podium for the first time since 2008:
As an athlete, you can judge yourself pretty harshly. But I think that was something quite nice that came out of these Olympics. While I was pretty gutted about some of the races we sailed, I was still really proud of what we achieved. When you win a medal, you don’t see the tears on the sideline, because you’re dragged off into this other crazy world of media and celebrations; you’re in this little bubble. So, I loved being there with the whole team on the beach, with the flags, the hugs and the cheers. No matter where anyone finished, we were all there for each other. It was great to be a part of that.
On coaching at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics:
Coaching definitely kept me in the sport, and involved in the Olympics. And it made me realize what I love about them. But I also realized coaching for me is a lot like sailing – without the fun part. The same program, hours, and travel but you’re watching and supporting. For some people, that’s what they want to do. I’d like a supporting role, but not a full-time supporting role.
On being involved with the Women’s America’s Cup:
It’s amazing when you see people put everything into it – the search for performance on so many levels, like technology and development, as well as sailing. I hope this is just the start of a women’s series, or something that can continue. A consistent Women’s America’s Cup, with a set of events leading into it like the guys do. It would be a shame to start the ball rolling and then just let it fade away.
On offshore sailing, having trialed for the 2017 Volvo Ocean Race with Team Brunel:
I didn’t enjoy that too much. Honestly, I’m just too small and not strong enough, and it’s a different type of performance – it just keeps going. If I want to do endurance sport, I’ll do that for fun.
On being the chair of World Sailing’s Athletes’ Commission:
Sailing is a complicated sport, and there are a lot of things to juggle and balance. But I always think it’s better to be involved and try to have some impact, rather than being on the sidelines to complain about it, which is what most people seem to do. I’m a little younger than your average board member in sports administration and a bit more directly involved having been a recent Olympic athlete and sailed in the America’s Cup. It will be interesting to see where the sport goes next.
Source: https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/news/no-average-jo-aleh-games-swansong-and-sailing-futur
Source: https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/12/04/kiwi-yachtie-is-no-average-jo/
