WAIS Sailing Athletes Prepare for European Campaign

Published On: 13 May 2009

Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi

The Yachting Western Australia Awards night was held on Friday May 8, with WAIS sailors Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson receiving Female Sailor of the Year, and Sailing Competitors of the Year awards in recognition of their stellar campaign.

Training on Saturday at Fremantle had fewer numbers, due to the State Team Racing Championships being held at Royal Perth Yacht Club. WAIS sailors and U21 World Team Racing Champions were competing against 11 teams from school teams to club teams. Luke Parkinson, David Gilmour and Jasper Warren teamed up and won the regatta, losing only one race.

Fremantle Sailing Club team, with WAIS sailors Tristan Brown and Mark Whittington sailed very well to finish third overall. This will give the young sailors confidence in their own sailing as they train in Perth over winter, aspiring to make the national team in470’s and Laser Radial respectively, next year.

Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall have been training and competing in Sydney at a 470 camp run by Victor Kovalenko, with a regatta held over the weekend. The girls gained through the training, getting used to the tough Sydney conditions, where the waves and wind are quite irregular, and agility and responding in time are the key elements.

They won the women’s category in the 14 boat fleet. This is great preparation for them as they head to Europe on Sunday. They will compete in two World cup events and the European Championships, returning to Perth in late June.

I will be travelling to Europe in June to meet up with them at Kiel, the German World Cup event.

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WAIS Sailing Squads have been announced for the 2009 year, which is from April 1st 2009 to March 31 2010. The Squad spreads across six classes as the program and the sailors improve on the National and International stage.

Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson head the squad, as the two World Class representatives. Emerging International athletes are:

Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall – Women’s 470

Ryan Hannan – Laser

Steven Thomas – 49er

Luke Parkinson – RSX

Tim Castles in the Finn.

All these athletes will travel internationally this year to compete in world cup events or World Championships and we wish them the best of luck. We will keep you posted on their preparation and travels.

Belinda Stowell, head coach of the WAIS sailing program.