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If spending a decade near the front of the international fleet in the world's most competitive sailing class has taught Tom Saunders anything, it's to focus on the here and now.
It's an approach that could serve Saunders well at the ILCA 7 world championships in Adelaide over the next week, as he attempts to win a second world title - and secure his spot at the Olympic Games later this year.
The 31-year-old is no stranger to success at the event, having become the first Kiwi since Nik Burfoot in 1994 to be crowned world champion in the class with his victory in Barcelona in 2021.
Saunders narrowly missed out on the podium a year later, finishing fourth at the worlds in Mexico, and will line up from Friday at the Adelaide Sailing Club - the same venue where he won silver at the Australian national championships a fortnight ago.
He was beaten only by Aussie Matt Wearn, the gold medallist from the Tokyo Olympics three years ago and the sailing world championships in The Hague in August, and finished ahead of a stellar cast including Michael Beckett of Britain and fellow Kiwi George Gautrey, who won silver and bronze respectively in the Netherlands.
Tom Saunders won silver at the 2024 Australian national championships. Photo / Down Under Sail
It's a welcome result after a 2023 that saw Saunders fail to make an international podium, with fifth at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Spain in April his best result.
According to coach Mike Bullot, Saunders' recent form and international pedigree will stand him in good stead in Adelaide.
"It’s hard for these guys to peak throughout the year so we’ve been working a lot on making sure everything comes together at the right time and I think that’s what we’re seeing with Tom’s Australian nationals result and narrowly missing the win to the current Olympic and world champion," Bullot said.
"Tom’s an impressive guy to work closely with and he knows how to put the big events together. He knows what he’s capable of and he’s worked hard on all the pieces which have put him in a really good place leading into next week."
Saunders will line up against more than 150 sailors including Wearn, Beckett and other leading competitors Pavlos Kontides (Cyprus), Duko Bos (Netherlands) and Tonci Stipanovic (Croatia).
With New Zealand's place in the class for the Olympic Games in July secured courtesy of the result in The Hague, Saunders and teammate Gautrey will be battling it out for selection for the sole spot on the start line in Marseille - with Adelaide the second of two Olympic selection trials.
Saunders is embracing the added pressure, though.
Saunders in action in Adelaide. Photo / Down Under Sail
"Tom knows how to perform under pressure and as a coach, it’s enjoyable to watch him step up in some big moments," Bullot said.
"He knows what he has to do but at the level and class he sails there’s not much room for thinking anything other than performing at your best and putting the event together independently of anything else."
Saunders and Gautrey lead a large Kiwi contingent in Adelaide, that also includes Caleb Armit, Luke Deegan, Luke Cashmore, Dylan Forsyth and George Pilkington.
