Pavlos Kontides has concluded an 18-day training camp in Cádiz as part of his build-up to the World Championship in Fortaleza, Brazil, scheduled for mid-January 2027.
The championship will also serve as the first Olympic qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The Cypriot sailor trained in Cádiz for the first time and spent much of the camp focusing on intensive land-based preparation.
"Our goal was to get as many windy days as possible so we could become more comfortable with our position in the boat, but the wind didn't cooperate," said the two-time Olympic silver medallist.
"Because conditions on the water were not intense enough, we compensated with intense land training, including gym work and cycling."
Friendly regatta and new technology
During the final days of the camp, Kontides also competed in a friendly regatta involving coaches and around 30 boats.
The event included the use of Vakaros systems, allowing competitors to familiarise themselves with the new technology.
"I was doing quite well in the regatta and was competing for a place in the top three until the end, but on the final day I felt quite tired from the heavy training on land because we kept pushing during the competition as well," he said.
The sailor, who represents the Limassol Nautical Club, added that discomfort from a previous injury reappeared and he chose not to take unnecessary risks.
"My injury started bothering me again and I didn't want to risk it, so I didn't compete in all the races."
Next steps
Kontides will now take a short recovery break while continuing his physical preparation.
On 20 November, he will return to Cádiz for another training camp and regatta involving a larger fleet.
In December, he will travel to Brazil, where he will spend two weeks training before returning to Europe for the holiday period.
He is scheduled to return to Brazil on 4 January and will compete in the Brazilian Championship using the same boat he will sail at the World Championship.
After a final training block, he will contest the World Championship from 17 to 23 January, aiming to secure qualification for what would be the sixth Olympic Games of his career.
Kontides' Super Grand Sponsor is Freedom24, while Allwyn continues as a major sponsor. Additional sponsors include Ayia Napa Marina and Petrolina. Supporters include Alassia NewShips Management, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, the Leventis Foundation, VITA Group and Hartmann Holdings Ltd.
His team also works with NUTRICA, a nutrition supplement range developed from more than two decades of elite sporting experience by Kontides and his support team.
