New Zealand native Chris Nilsson has joined the Princeton coaching staff for the '99/00 season. Chris will direct the heavyweight men while Curtis Jordan is on leave to help prepare the United States' men's team for the 2000 Olympics in Nilsson's neck of the woods, Sydney, Australia.

Nilsson has some Olympic experience as he rowed in a 4+ that finished sixth at the '72 Olympics. Of note is that Nilsson's boat was edged out of 5th place by a boat containing Mike Vespoli, maker of boats in which many Princetonians now row. Making an Olympic team is a rather impressive feat for someone who picked up rowing simply because he lived on a farm that was close to a rowing club.

The coaching ability of Nilsson gained attention when he led a club lightweight eight to the New Zealand championships. At the Olympic level, he coached sixteen year old twins who rowed in the double sculls event.

For the last two years, Nilsson has been the assistant coach at Oxford. At Henley he became aware of an opening at Princeton and was interviewed by several current Princeton coaches who ultimately thought Nilsson would be a good fit. Nilsson packed his bags for what was basically unknown territory. In fact, he had only visited the U.S. once during a brief visit to Los Angeles.

Of coaching in the U.S., Nilsson noted that collegiate rowing is much bigger in the U.S. In New Zealand, university crews only form for three weeks out of the year to row in a big regatta- and there are only six universities all together. Most rowing in New Zealand takes place at the secondary schools or clubs rather than at university.

Chris is looking forward to his year at Princeton. He has enjoyed the friendliness and hospitality that has been exhibited thus far and of Princeton he says, "it's prettier than I thought."

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