ANDY MALONEY
For most of Andy Maloney’s life, he has spent it on the water racing sailboats.Maloney’s sailing education started when his parents bought a 44-foot yacht and took their family around the Pacific Islands for about three years and was later refined during his time at the Murrays Bay Sailing Club. After his first experience racing overseas during high school, Andy has dedicated his life to one day representing New Zealand at the Olympics. Finishing high school, Andy chose to race in the Laser class sailboats and made his big breakthrough in 2012, when he came 3rdat the World Laser Championships.
Leading into the Rio Olympics, Maloney was in a tight head-to-head battle with Sam Meech, both competing for the one spot to represent New Zealand. Three events were to decide who was going to secure their ticket to the 2016 games and unfortunately for Maloney, one day of bad decisions on the water cost him his chance. Andy was completely devastated after spending eight years of his life fully committed to achieving his ultimate goal. Unsure what to do next, Andy needed a new goal to work towards and he decided to set his targets on being a part of America’s Cup Sailing team Emirates Team New Zealand. Willing to do anything to get his chance, Andy quickly impressed, with his sailing knowledge, relentless work ethic and being a handy cyclist. Fast-forward a year of hard graft and adding 15kgs of muscle, Maloney earned his way onto the ETNZ boat and found himself as one of the Cyclors. This unique design feature helped New Zealand lift one of sports oldest trophies and brought it home to share with the rest of New Zealand.
With the ultimate goal still to make it to the Olympics, currently, Maloney finds himself in a similar situation as he did in 2016, battling for the one spot to represent New Zealand. But this time is a little different, a new boat, now in the Finn Class, a new perspective and the competitor is his Best Man from his wedding Josh Junior. This is a unique relationship, as they have decided to share everything, from boat set ups, to race tactics and to race reviews. With the goal that whoever gets the opportunity to go to Tokyo will have the best chance of winning the Gold Medal for New Zealand. In the episode, Maloney, with host van Beek, dive deep into his journey to date, from Growing up on a yacht around the South Pacific; to the risks that come with Sailing races and the tactics involved in races; battling Sam Meech for Rio Olympic selection, how one day changed it all – Andy’s lowest moment; Joining Emirates Team New Zealand – tackling a new challenge; 'The Capsize Day' - 35th America's Cup; Competing against your best mate in the Finn Class for the one spot to go to the Tokyo Olympics; Preparing yourself for success or failure second time around – having more perspective and teaming up for the greater good. Much more covered in this in-depth reflection on Andy’s sporting career to date.
Chapters
· Being back on the water with Team NZ/Covid 19 learning’s (3:18)
· Childhood/Family Influence/Key Moments (7:37)
· Growing up on a 44ft yacht around the South Pacific (11:17)
· When was the moment you wanted to go to the Olympic Games for sailing? (15:43)
· How you fund yourself to be a fulltime sailor? (20:42)
· Were you close to selection for the 2012 London Olympics? (22:43)
· How do you decide which Sailing boat you want to race in? (24:12)
· The risks that come with Sailing races? The tactics involved in races? (25:39)
· Battling Sam Meech for Rio Olympic selection, how one day changed it all – Andy’s lowest moment. (34:00)
· How did Andy deal with the disappointment/frustration of missing out on Rio? (42:33)
· Joining Emirates Team New Zealand – tackling a new challenge (45:26)
· Where were you in 1995 when Team New Zealand won for the first time? (52:15)
· Completing the Big 3 in Sailing-Racing (53:22)
· 2013 America's Cup Campaign, what happened?! (54:34)
· What does the day to day look like being a part of Team New Zealand? (59:24)
· The Cyclor design feature - why didn't they get 5 top cyclists to fill the role? (1:04:42)
· 35th America's Cup role on boat - 'Off side rake trimmer' (1:11:00)
· What makes Peter Burling one of the best sailors in the world? (1:12:51)
· 'The Capsize Day' - 35th America's Cup (1:16:07)
· Winning the America's Cup - Bringing it back to New Zealand (1:22:01)
· Hosting the 36th America's Cup in Auckland 2021 (1:24:27)
· Competing against your best mate in the Finn Class for the one spot to go to the Tokyo Olympics (1:27:11)
· Preparing yourself for success or failure second time around – having more perspective and teaming up for the greater good (1:33:22)
· Mindset required for a sailor – How do you improve your Mental Skillset? (1:40:34)
· Motivation - Balance between Extrinsic vs Intrinsic (1:42:57)
· Advice for an 18 year old sailor wanting to become an Olympic Sailor or become a member of Team New Zealand (1:46:09)
· Where is Andy Maloney doing in 10 years time? (1:50:15)