Finn Class Interview: Jonas Høgh-Christensen - third time lucky?
Of all the Finn sailors competing in the 2012 Olympics, Jonas Høgh-Christensen has had one of the toughest returns to form after effectively stepping out of the class for three years following a disappointing 2008 Olympics. In China he was one of the hot favourites for a medal, but he had a poor start before recovering to finish sixth, but that was still a long way from where he wanted to be. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was just bad luck.
So he took some time out, put his sailing career on hold and focussed on another career, in the music business. He returned briefly for the 2009 Finn Gold Cup in Vallensbaek, Denmark, where he stunned the Finn world to win his second Finn world title. Over the next two years he sailed the odd regatta to keep his hand in, until in November 2011 he returned to the class full time for a third crack at an Olympic medal. This could be his best chance yet. He is relaxed, confident and fast. But it has been a physically hard route back to the top.
"It was very, very hard to come back after such a long break. Physically and mentally it was a test of dimensions. My body was so out of shape and getting back to the mental state you need to be in to compete at this level was hard too. My first regatta back in the boat was Hyeres regatta in 2011 and I just wasn't there. I sat down with my coach and made a plan to get back and instantly knew that it would be a hard challenge."
"To make another campaign was not planned and not even really something I had rumbling in my head. I liked sailing at the top level but had decided to move on with my life. In 2010 I was approached by our federation that needed somebody to get some results because of a bad Danish season. I said I needed to test myself to see if it was even a possibility as it was crucial that I had the will to push as hard as needed and that the passion was still there. I tested myself at the 2010 worlds and with a 14th I thought I had both the opportunity to do well again and the will and passion to push hard."
As usual, fitness was the hardest part of the comeback. "I was very out of shape and three years in the music business had set its marks. I was 112 kg and super unfit. Getting back into shape has been hard especially because I have been battling injuries all along the process."
He also feels there has been a major step change in the fitness of the fleet. "I think the whole fleet is fitter, stronger and have improved their technique a lot. But I don't have a lot of pressure as I am not one of the favourites to take a medal. Probably more a dark horse. I think this could end up playing in my favour. But I am fresh and am really pushing hard all the way. I see some sailors that have already burned out. I did the same in 2008 in many ways and have learned from that."
The gear has also moved on. "When I returned it was obvious that the Brits were several steps ahead of everybody on gear. In the first race back in the boat I saw Ben sail a medal race going .3 knots and three degrees higher than everybody else. It made no sense. So we have worked hard to catch up. I did a mast development programme with Concept masts and sails with North. I think we have done well but in this aspect another six months would have done wonders. I think people were pretty surprised when I showed up with a 3DL sail at Sail for Gold."
