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Home  Community Alumni and Reunions
Daniel Slater Alumni 1994
 Since leaving Kristin in 1994, Daniel (Dan) Slater has competed in some of the world’s biggest sailing events, ranging from numerous National and World Championships in various classes, the Olympic Games, and as part of Team New Zealand while defending the America’s Cup. His 8th place finish at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 fuelled his desire to campaign again - this time though, to return with a medal. Dan is campaigning in the Finn class and is currently one of the leading contenders for an Olympic medal in Beijing 2008.
Dan grew up in Takapuna and first began sailing on the North Shore at the age of 10. Even at that early age Dan knew that he wanted to be a professional sailor (or an architect!) when he left school. He originally learned to sail in an Optimist class boat, and graduated to the P class two years later. His talent was evident early on. At 14, Dan outgrew the P class and moved into the Starling class. He won every regatta of the season and was the youngest sailor ever to win the National Championships. Architecture soon went out the door.
At school, Dan was the model sportsman who also managed to pass the odd exam! He enjoyed the 'out of classroom' activities the most and remembers Kristin school camps as definite highlights. He also enjoyed playing a few games of rugby. While at school, Dan started sailing the Laser class. He represented New Zealand at three Youth World Championships finishing 2nd, 6th and 1st respectively.
Dan continued to race Lasers, campaigning for the 1996 Olympic Games. A 7th place at the World Championships in 1995 and 2nd in the New Zealand Olympic trials had Dan missing out on Olympic Team selection.
Following the Olympic trial, the opportunity to sail in the 18ft Skiff Grand Prix circuit presented itself. Moving to Sydney, the newly formed Kiwi team finished 3rd overall in their second season.
Next, Dan teamed up with fellow Kristin Alumni Nathan Handley in the 49er class. Over the next three years of campaigning, the team climbed to 5th on the ISAF World rankings and had won numerous international regattas. The pair finished 8th in the Sydney Olympics.
Immediately after the Olympics, Dan joined Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup Defence, sailing as a Strategist/Tactician on the Cup boats and on the Match Racing Circuit. He points out that in Team New Zealand the sailing is just one part of the experience and having to work as a team involves many other factors. “I always felt proud to sail for Team NZ, but in the America's Cup there are some guys who just do it for the money and don't love it. I always wondered who would keep training and sailing if the money ran out halfway through the campaign,” says Dan.
Yes he did miss being involved in Valencia and admits going out for those final races would have been great. He supported all his mates who were on the boat but believes his decision to not sign for a Cup team was a good career move. “In the Olympics you fight with 50 nations trying to get an Olympic spot. All the gear is almost the same so it really comes down to the sailors, not how much money you spend or how big your team is. In the Olympics you are also only having to rely on two to three other people to perform for you on the day. I'm not getting any younger and I felt I had some unfinished business in the Olympics, and although there is still an America's Cup to win back, that can come after the Olympics,” he says.
Following the Cup, Dan coached the New Zealand Olympic Team at the Athens Games and spent most of 2004 coaching Olympic sailors from around the world. Two of his clients went on to win medals at Athens - a Gold and a Silver.
As well as generous sponsors for each campaign, coaching is Dan's source of income. He teaches people at all levels, from young 12 -14 year old Opti sailors at Murray's Bay Sailing Club to Olympic medallists from around the world. Some of his students are also from Kristin.
The Team New Zealand experience and the Olympic Games have been highlights of his career so far. Infected by the Olympic bug, Dan has decided he will put forth one more solid effort at the 2008 Olympics, sailing in the Finn class. He has already shown signs of medal-winning potential with his 2nd in the 2005 European Championship and 6th in the World Championship. Last year he won Kiel Week and was ranked 2nd on the ISAF World Ranking List. At the China pre-regattas in August he also placed well. “I have given myself every opportunity so far to win a medal, but we still have lots to do. I can't control what my opposition will do, but if I do my process right then the results will work out.”
Good luck Dan!
The Finn
The sail boat class that Dan currently sails is called the Finn. It's a single-handed (one sailor) boat that was designed in 1949 for Olympic competition and made it's first Olympic appearance in the Helsinki Games of 1952. It is the ultimate single-handed sailing machine that still ranks as the fastest non-trapeze International single-hander. The Finn is one of the few boats that require one athlete to be exceptionally fit and strong, at the same time outstanding in tactics and familiar with the techniques of sail and rig tuning. In fact, the Finn is the most physically and mentally demanding single-hander in the world and as a result, it breeds exceptional, all-round sailors by testing all aspects of racing.
Trust a Kristin student to challenge themselves to the most demanding pursuit of excellence!
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