Yachting: A Coutts family affair

Matt Coutts racing in the Finn Class. Photo / Supplied

Matt Coutts knows all about great expectations. There is always pressure to perform as a young sportsman, but when your uncle is recognised as the greatest ever, it tends to ramp things up a bit.

The 22-year-old Finn protege accepts that 'Uncle Russell' will always cast a giant shadow, but he is determined to make his own mark on the yachting world.

"I realised a little while ago that it would be really hard to get even close to what Russell has done," says Coutts. "He is no doubt the best sailor in the world. I've got my goals and that is all I can do."

After four years racing in the Laser class, Coutts switched to Finns in November 2009 and is currently ranked second in New Zealand, behind 2008 world championship silver medalist and double Olympian Dan Slater.

"The biggest thing I have learned from Russell is that it is possible," says Coutts, "as he started off where I am now. He went through the Lasers, then sailed in the Finns. You can't get much better advice than from someone who has succeeded in pretty much everything they have done. If he gives you advice, you can take it as true and run with it."

His uncle has offered support and encouragement, as well as opening doors for the youngster.

"He has been helpful in so many different ways," says Coutts. "I talk to him a lot - he couldn't be any better and I can't thank him enough."

Coutts achieved some promising results in Lasers, finishing as the top under-21 sailor at the 2007 world championships and third at the 2009 national championships, but the naturally stocky Aucklander struggled to stay at the optimal weight for the lightweight class.

"The Finn looked like a nice boat to sail," recalls Coutts.

"It seemed like the logical step and the physicality of it appealed to me."

Apart from getting used to a completely new boat set-up and style of racing, the biggest challenge was packing on the kilos. Coutts says it was bloody hard work.

"It was a lot of eating and a lot of gym," says Coutts, "I'm sick of it now - I would almost like to go back to not eating so much. I eat seven eggs for breakfast - sometimes you wake up and dread breakfast." He stacked on 18kg in 10 months and now sits at his target weight of 100kg.

Coutts relocated to Valencia for most of last year, in an attempt to get the best possible competition around Europe. He loved the lifestyle, and admitted that being a single man there was not exactly a hardship. He did miss a "good Kiwi steak", but enjoyed the huge pot of paella that is served after every regatta.

On the water, it was a predictably steep learning curve, with plenty of mistakes. Through Russell's connections he was introduced to Spanish world champion Rafael Trujillo, who taught him all the basics of the class. The two have become firm friends, and Trujillo is currently based in New Zealand after his Canadian wife got a job here.

"I'm improving pretty fast," says Coutts. "Every day I go out on the water I feel like I'm better than the day before."

The trio are currently battling off Takapuna in Sail Auckland, with the final two races today. Slater has won seven of nine thus far, Trujillo is lying second, with Coutts in third, managing three seconds and six third place finishes.

"The London Olympics are the goal," says Coutts. "It's possible - though Dan is going really well at the moment. I'll give it a good crack but I'm still young so Rio (2016) is also on the agenda."

Coutts will head back to Europe in March, to begin a month of training in his new boat. He will compete in European regattas but will also be returning home regularly to practise here alongside Slater and Trujillo.

The two Kiwis will face off at the Sail for Gold test event at Weymouth in November before the world championships off Perth in December.