Tokyo 2020: Jason Waterhouse, Lisa Darmanin chasing Olympic Nacra 17 sailing gold
It’s been bugging them for four long years and it is what is driving sailing cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin for the Tokyo Olympics.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Artistic Aime earns place on Aussie team
- From rugby to rowing for awesome Ben
- Duo out to create waves in hunt for ‘miracle’ medal
From trips on the Manly Ferry with their nan to feed ducks in the Botanical Gardens to a second shot at gold at the Olympics.
Sailing cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin have been spending special moments together since they were born just 12 weeks apart 28 years ago.
Now they will be attempting to eradicate a shared memory when they race for Australia at their second Olympics in Tokyo later this year.
TICKET TO TOKY0: Who has made the cut?
TOKYO 2020: Former netballer, dancer’s boxing bid
The pair were confirmed Tuesday onto the Australian Olympic team.
“It’s a relief to have it official,’’ said Darmanin, the crew on the foiling craft considered a gold medal contender for Australia in Tokyo and who trains with her cousin out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
The close cousins, the third set of relatives on the Australian Sailing team along with Will and Sam Phillips (49ers) and Jaime (49erFX) and Will Ryan (470 dinghy), are on a mission to go one better than their silver on debut at Rio.
The pair were in the box seat for gold but finished a point off a dream debut - and it still rankles both.
COSTLY: High price of chasing an Olympic spot
FUNNY : How French born paddler is an Aussie Olympian
“It has been driving me. I think about that (final day) race we messed up in Rio over and over,’’ said Darmanin from Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches.
“We set a goal eight years ago we were going to win the gold and its good t get the chance again.’’
The cousins, coached by multiple world champion and two time Olympic silver medallist Darren Bundock from the Central Coast, won bronze medals at both the 2009 and 2020 world championships and are the ninth members of he Australian sailing team to book a ticket to Tokyo.
FACT OR FICTION: What you don’t know about this son of a gun
SON OF A GUN: Cooper Johns out to make his own mark
Waterhouse, from Bilgola Plateau, said his close relationship with his cousin was part of their success on the water.
“Lisa and I have been sailing together for 12 years now - when the pressure’s on that experience and connection really comes to the fore,’’ he said.
“I can tell when Lisa’s stressed, she knows when I’m stressed and how we can help offload that pressure both on and off the water and it’s an advantage we have that other teams might not.”
Other sailors named for Tokyo are London gold medallist Mat Belcher (470 with Will Ryan), Tess Lloyd (49er FC with Jaime Ryan) and Laser sailor Matt Wearn.
Originally published as Tokyo 2020: Jason Waterhouse, Lisa Darmanin chasing Olympic Nacra 17 sailing gold