Jordy Vonk (Fanatic / NorthSails) set his aims high before the start of the season by stating that he wants to be challenging for the world title - a tall order - but one that the flying Dutchman managed to live up to expectations to as he recorded his first podium finish in Japan - second place.

After the highs of Japan Vonk cut a frustrated figure at times in Costa Brava as he didn’t quite manage to maintain those high standards that he had set in the event prior. The 23-year-old wasn't far off, but he faced 4 quarterfinal exits after placing 5th - one place outside of the crucial qualifying positions - in 4 out of the 8 races completed. Those are narrow margins to miss out by, but they have massive impacts on the overall results meaning Vonk had to settle for a 21st place in Spain, which leaves Vonk 9th after the first three events. *No result in South Korea. After a slightly mixed start to the season, but one that offers plenty of opportunity and hope we caught up with Jordy for an interview:

Hey Jordy, how’s it going?

I’m fine thanks! Good to be home after a very busy month May. 

In South Korea it looked like you were flying, but we couldn’t complete a round, so there was no result… how good was it to then go straight to Japan and score your first podium finish?

Sure it was a shame that we didn’t finish Korea in the windy conditions, but sadly that’s sometimes the way it is. To then go to Japan and score my first podium was simply an amazing feeling. Although it was only one elimination that we completed I was more than proud of this achievement, especially in a location like Japan with lots of people on the beach - that made it even more special! 

After a winter of hard training it must be great to see your hard work paying off?

Oh yes! You gain confidence all over the winter during the TWS training and you secretly start to think of everything which could be possible this year. When that’s already happening during the first result of the year it gives even more confidence for the rest of the season.

Does earning your first podium change or open up your mindset at all?

Not really, before the tour I visited a mental coach which actually changed my mind before heading to Asia. My aim was high and of course after the podium it will stay like that.  

After the highs of Japan the tour then headed straight for Costa Brava, where you so nearly earned your first podium last year, but things didn't seem to quite click for you the same like they did in Japan or last year there - do you think there was any particular reason for that?

You can’t believe how frustrating this was! It’s hard to say what particularly went wrong. All my counting results were 18.5 or better, so it was not that I was totally out of the game, but getting kicked out 4 times in 5th place in the quarterfinals was kind of unbelievable. I think it was a little bit unlucky but I also didn’t force my luck enough. It was definitely not due lack of speed and I can’t imagine losing my jibing skills so quickly, haha, so for sure I’ll be back soon! 

After the first 3 events of the year you’re 9th overall - are you happy with your start to the season?

Mixed feelings! 9th is for sure a good position which offers possibilities to go anywhere in the ranking, but due to  having a counting 21st place, for now, I can’t say I’m super happy. But the mix of success (Japan) and a big lesson (Costa Brava) it might be the best for me in the long term, so for sure it’s a positive start to the season. 

After a hectic May you’ve now got a bit of time before the next event in Fuerteventura - what will you be up to between then and now?

I’ll be enjoying some days at home as I was only here 10 days so far this year! But it will also be filled with the action: Last weekend we had the first stop of the Dutch Championships which I managed to win. Next week there’ll be attending the IFCA World’s on Texel, where I will compete as well followed by the second/last stop of the Dutch Championships the weekend after. Then it’s time to relax a little bit before heading to Fuerteventura early - I can’t wait to be on the small gear again! 

Quick Fire Tips

1 quick tip to go faster?

TRY, make sure you tried every cm of your mast track, boom height, downhaul, outhaul and so on, you can only get the max out of your gear when you really know your gear. 

1 quick tip for better gybing?

Keep the amount of actions as minimum as possible. You should only need 3 actions for your feet and 3 for your hands. 

1 quick tip for better starting?

It’s mostly about experience, so just try to do as many starts as possible. 

Thanks Jordy.

You can stay up to date with all of Jordy Vonk’s latest news and adventures via his Social Media Network Channels:

Facebook: @jordy.vonk.69 

Instagram: @jordyvonk