SPINNAKER TALES.
By Ian Grant.
Noosa Olympic Laser dinghy sailor Ryan Palk remains of track to fulfil his career ambition to represent Australia at a future Olympic regatta.
The 21 year old aquatic athlete is one of five talented Laser class skippers selected for specialist coaching in the Australian Sailing Development Squad which has access to the best coaches in the country including Olympic Gold Medal winning mentor Victor Kovalenco and Beijing Olympic team coach Adrian Finglas.
This is a special reward for Ryan Palk who just a few years ago was sailing his snub-nose Sabot in club events with the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club fleet on the peaceful but tricky Noosa River.
He is totally committed to the tough grind required to remain that marginal step ahead with regular training sessions on the physically testing lower reaches of the Noosa River while strengthening his boat handling and wave sailing technique on the open ocean off Laguna Bay.
Most of his on water training sessions end at dusk and after packing the dinghy in the rack he is then off to Jetts Noosaville 24/7 gymnasium for an equally exhausting workout.
This totally dedicated commitment played a major role when Ryan Palk narrowly outsailed a strong 40 boat fleet to win the New South Wales Laser championship at Port Stephens last month.
The result was a personal reward when Palk scored a rare win over the top New South Wales skipper and former National champion Ash Brunning.
Palk finished all races in the top three and survived a boat on boat match race against Brunning to win the series by a convincing six points.
He has stepped up his training schedule practicing boat handling in lengthy sessions against Klade Hauschildt as both sailors prepare to contest the 2010 Queensland Championship over the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron courses on Waterloo Bay later this month.
This will be his final regatta in Australia before Ryan packs his sail bag and heads overseas with the Australian team to compete in the European championships in Estonia followed by the Kiel Week in Germany, the Sail for Gold Regatta at Weymouth England and the 2010 World championship to be contested over England’s demanding Hayling Island course.
His step up into the major league on the International circuit will prove to be a supreme test for the relatively young Noosa River sailor however it is a test he has to face to realise his Olympic dream.
Ryan is presently rated at 82nd on the official international rankings and promises to climb up the list with strong results in the major regattas overseas during the Northern Hemisphere summer.
Meanwhile he will continue with the demanding training schedule to be race ready while improving his personal technique and race strategy for his most serious career challenge so far.