Daniela Adler reports great sailing (and less great injury) before the Brazilian Nationals

Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte has represented Brazil at the 2008 ISAF Youths (with Martine Grael, 7th) and at the 2007 – 2009 World Championships, 6th in Tapakupna (2007), 4th Athens (2008, with Martine Grael) and Bronze at Riva del Garda (2009, again with Martine). She must be the ‘president’ of the 420 International Crews’ Union! But, in spite of her Match Racing activities and legal studies, Daniela was back last week preparing for the Brazilian National Championships….and at the helm! And she is sailing with Kahena Kunze, Brazil’s successful veteran 29er crew - at the ISAF Youth Championships for two years (6th at Ontario in 2007 and Gold at Búzios, Brazil in 2009 with Martine Grael).

Daniela takes up the story: “Búzios is incredible, it's been sunny and windy for four days in a row. Big waves and all that nature could possibly provide for the best sailing conditions in the world. But, as there is a lot of wind, we have been capsizing a lot,…. Unfortunately, in one of these, I fell with my leg over the bailer and got myself a very deep cut - as a matter of fact I got 13 stitches! And don't really know if I’ll be able to compete; I feel really sad right now... It is, or was, going to be my first big championship as helm! Plus, guess who is my crew now? No other than Kahena Kunze! Well I’m off to Rio, but there are still a lot of boats training back in Manguinhos”. We wish Daniela a speedy recovery and hope to “see” her and Kahena Kunze in action next week….and maybe at the Worlds this year? (after all they must keep in peak performance condition for Buenos Aires 2011 surely!)