Youth Sailors Benefit from Japan Exchange Program
Australian Sailing’s group of Youth sailors, who were part of this year’s invitational Australia – Japan Youth Exchange program, have topped the ranks at the Japanese Youth Worlds selection regatta in Wakayama, Japan (20-22 September 2015).
WAIS athlete Conor Nicholas, who recently won the 2015 Laser Radial Youth World, finished first in the Laser Radial fleet after winning eight out of nine races, while 2015 Australian Sailing Youth Team representative and fellow WAIS scholarship holder Jacinta Ainsworth was third overall and first ranked female sailor.
Racing at Wakayama Sailing Club was in combined fleets with both girls and boys racing together and as part of the Japanese Youth National Team training camp. This was followed by the Japanese selection races for the ISAF Youth Worlds to take place in Malaysia at the end of December. The Australian sailors participated in the Laser Radial and 420 events.
Nicholas said the experience had enhanced his sailing but also provided a unique and enjoyable cultural experience.
“It’s been a really good experience and it’s been a lot of fun getting to meet new people. I’ve especially enjoyed the food and trying new things which is a little bit out of my depth, it’s been a bit trial and error but pretty good and I’ve learnt heaps,” he said.
Nicholas was second to his club mate and training partner Alistair Young in qualifying for this year’s Youth Worlds but learnt a lot from the Japan experience and will now focus on his goal to qualify for the Youth Worlds next year.
“This was my first regatta after the Radial Youth Worlds and it’s been a good regatta sharpening up again to prepare for Youth Nationals next as a first qualifying step towards next year’s Youth Worlds. This regatta has been good to test yourself and to be really accurate with what you do.”
Jacinta Ainsworth will be representing Australia in the Laser Radial at the Youth Worlds in December and said it was an experience that will help her at the Youth Worlds:
“Being on my first solo trip was actually a lot harder than I thought and it took me a couple of days to get into a routine. But I think it was a valuable experience and I have come away with some great skills from this. It will be fantastic to have this under my belt before Malaysia.”
As for the sailing she said: “The conditions have been really shifty here, ranging from 25-30 degree shifts so it’s been really good to practice all the skills and hopefully experience something similar to Malaysia.”
The Australian athletes on the tour were led by WAIS Sailing Coach Belinda Stowell who said the experience was a valuable opportunity to get to know a different culture, which she believe is a valuable experience in athlete development.
“It has been a great regatta for the youth team members and the light air racing was great practice for Malaysia. But the sailing was only 50% of the gains made. Learning a new culture, being away from their normal family environment during the regatta meant being more independent, and they had the chance to work together and make new friends, who will be racing against them in December in Malaysia.”
“We have been well looked after again, and the sailors have been making some good friendships with the Japanese sailors. It’s been another great experience and I thank the Japanese for giving our young sailors a chance to race internationally again, and gain valuable experiences, which will be important for all of their future sailing and racing goals.”
The two Laser Radial and four 420 sailors were the guests of the Japan Sailing Federation at Wakayama Sailing Club. It was the fourth year of this exchange, which is highly valued by both countries.
The group was accompanied and coached by Olympic gold medallist and Australian Sailing Youth Team and Western Australian Institute of Sport coach Belinda Stowell as well as Youth Team coach and former Laser Radial World Champion Tristan Brown (WA).
The team headed back to Australia this week and the 2015 Australian Sailing Youth Team members will get together next for a camp ahead of the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Melbourne in December with the whole team competing in the event before heading to Malaysia for the 2015 ISAF Youth World Championships (27 December 2015 – 5 January 2016).
-YachtingAus