WAIS Sailing Update

Published On: 10 December 2008

Elise Rechichi (right) has been passing on her skills

The WAIS sailing program has resumed normal service with the squad now into the competition phase of their summer sailing season. The Royal Perth Mini Series was held last weekend at Matilda Bay withthe 420’s and laser classes testing their skills.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games gold medallist Elise Rechichi has been doing some 420 coaching, sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with the young group of sailors. Mat Jerwood and Patrick Vos sailed very well to clinch the title from David Gilmour and James Omay.

WAIS Head Sailing Coach Belinda Stowell was pleased with performance of the emerging talent.

“It is great to see David back on the water after his year 12 studies have now finished. As a new team, they are now keen to get out on the water, with less than a month to the Nationals,” she said.

In Sydney,Sail Sydney starts on December 6 and runs through to December 9 WAIS will be represented by seven sailors in Sydney, together with three WAIS training partners or team mates.

The 49er teams consist of Luke Parkinson andSteve Thomas, Tom Johnson and Rees Howell whilst the 470’s groupings are Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall and Tim Lynch with Tristan Brown. In Lasers Ryan Hannan and Mark Whittington will contest in the Radial, hoping totest their skills on the beautiful but challenging race courses of Sydney Harbour.

Many of the sailors in Sydney will travel to Melbourne on December 12 for the Sail Melbourne regatta before returning home to Perth for their National Championships.