Jennifer Provan and Nikola Girke joined forces in 2001 with the firm intention to go to the Olympics, although Girke was reluctant at first. She was enjoying a fine career in the Laser class. However by the end of 2001, the newly-formed pair shared the Canadian Yachting Association's female athlete of the year award. They placed 16th that year at their first worlds together in the 470 class.
They achieved their Olympic dream this year by placing an impressive 10th at the world championships in the 470 class. Provan and Girke were pleased with their results. After having a slow start to their 2003 season, they sailed in the European championships in a new Ziegelmayer craft and made further coaching changes in mid-May last year when they began working with Canadian sailing team coach Kelly Hand, a former national team member.
They have sailed twice at the Olympic venue. "I felt really comfortable in the shifty conditions at the Olympic site," said Provan. "We had a great start to the test event [in August 2003], but we made some mistakes in the latter half that we won't make again."
The International 470 is one of 11 sailing events in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
