WAIS Sailors Compete in Sail Melbourne World Cup

WAIS sailing athletes have been in action in Melbourne this week in the first World Cup event of the summer.

470 sailing class athletes Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall are in strong contention in their event, currently sitting in second position after winning in their last outing.

Omay and Hall sit just five points behind the New Zealand crew of Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie.

Tim Castles is showing promising signs in his new Finn class, winning a race to sit in equal second position behind fellow Australian Sailing Development Squad athlete James Paterson.

Young WAIS scholarship holder Eamon Robertshaw is competing in the women’s RS:X class, gaining experience ahead of next year’s national titles.

WAIS Head sailing coach Belinda Stowell believes the squad is working well and building towards a strong national title campaign next year.

“It’s been a really good regatta so far, and with five more races before close on Saturday,” she said.

“It’s a good lead up to the nationals, and the six world cup events will be good exposure for the crews,” Stowell said from Melbourne.

Competition has been delayed on Thursday, with wet and wild conditions.