Known for its enormous regatta’s, competitive fleets and amazing racing conditions, the yearly European sailing circuit attracts athletes from around the world. The tight and highly exposed regattas such as Kieler Woche (Kiel race week), allow athletes and teams to test their speed, tactics and knowledge against the best sailors in the world. The top members of the Queensland Sailing Team have left the shores of Oz to be part of this amazing journey.
As members of the Australian Youth Sailing Team (AYST), 29er Australian champions and this year’s youth representatives, Josh Franklin (18) and Lewis Brake (16) head to Europe for their first time racing overseas. After an amazingly successful summer racing down under, Franklin and Brake were selected into the AYST, and have the opportunity to bring home a medal for their country in Zadar, Croatia at the ISAF Youth World Championships. Anxiously waiting for their plane at Brisbane’s International terminal, the boys both agreed they were excited and determined to do their best for Australia and Queensland. For Youth worlds regatta information head here ISAF Youth Worlds 2011 – Zadar, Croatia.
In there second year overseas, 420 champions Alexander Gough (18) and Angus Galloway (18) boarded there flight stopping over in Singapore along with Youth Team members Franklin and Brake. As one of Queensland’s most successful 420 teams Gough and Galloway will this year be fighting for the medal they missed out on at the 2010 worlds. Coming into the final day sitting in second overall the Queenslanders had gear failure that lost them a spot on the podium. However with gained experience racing in the 470 against world champions and Queenslanders Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page, Gough and Galloway are unwaveringly committed to doing Australia proud in Zadar.
Both 29er and 420 boy’s teams travel with the other eight members from around the country, including Queenslander Ashley Stoddard in the Laser Radial, who is currently overseas with the Australian Development Sailing Squad. Accompanying the athletes is an experienced coaching team, made up of Sydney 470 Olympic Gold medallist Belinda Stowell, world renowned Olympic and Multihull coach Mike Fletcher and Youth Sailing Team coach David Mann. Follow the team’s progress in Croatia, as they battle the best youth sailors in the world.
Photos and words :
Andrew Gough
Yachting Queensland