2020 Western Australian Sailing Squad Camp 2 Report
Report by Matt Jerwood
After a one week postponement due to stormy weather the WASS Squad descended on South of Perth Yacht Club over the weekend for their second camp of the year. Firstly, a very big thank you to Denis Jones and SoPYC for hosting the event, sharing their facilities, and helping ensure the camp was a success.
After a difficult month for sailors and coaches with the news of our end of year national titles being cancelled due to COVID-19, it was great to see sailors in such great numbers and spirit at the camp. The thirty-six sailors were graced with light to moderate winds and sunny skies making for pleasant but challenging conditions to master. The squad was lucky enough to have WAIS Head Coach Belinda Stowell join the camp to offer her expert insights to both the sailor and coaches.
The 29ers again had 10 boats at the camp which allowed for high quality starting and racing practice, something we cannot always get week to week but critical for development. The strength and depth of the WASS 29er squad attracted the senior WAIS 470 team of Chris Charlwood and Amelia Catt to join on day one for the racing. It was a win/win for the squad to have seasoned international competitors in amongst the group and let me tell you, they did not have it all their own way!
Over the camp a seven race, plus double points medal race series was contested. It was dubbed the Choc Milk Cup with the prize of 2L of Choc Milk up for grabs. WAIS team Axel Fleet and Kieran Bucktin managed to win the prize but were put under major pressure by Rosie Hennessey and Laura Quinlivan who showed a great improvement in speed throughout the camp, winning the medal race in the process. Overall, the 29er group has really made some big improvements in their starting and speed over the last month with the racing getting tighter and tighter. Keep up the hard and smart work sailors!
The Windfoil fleet in WA continues to grow and thrive under the guidance of newly appointed National Pathway Lead Arthur Brett. The four WASS windfoilers were joined by the WAIS foiler and some other senior foil racers from around Perth. The group is progressing quickly, all learning and pushing each other. For any sailors interested in progressing to this pathway and joining the windfoiling community and racing, WASS will be holding a transition day in the coming months, so keep an eye out for more information here!
The Laser squad again had a strong camp with some sailors stepping up from 4.7 and taking on the challenge of the bigger Radial rig. Continuing to build strength and hiking fitness is key in the laser class and under the guidance of coach Ben Walkemeyer the sailors will be working hard continue to build their levels.
In all a solid camp for the squad with our next camp scheduled in two weeks!
Matt