WAIS Sailing Update

Last week saw the annual junior sailing training camp “Westsail” held at The Cruising Yacht Club of Rockingham.There were 114 young sailors residing at the camp, along with 19 coaches.

It was organised by Yachting WA, and Michael Downing, Chris Kelly and Chris Goldacare were the amazing team who run the camp andon waterprogram. The sailors have four days of training and coaching with two sessions a day, plus the early morning fitness run by WAIS Sailing coach, Belinda Stowell. The camp held theory sessions each evening. The camp is followed by the State Youth Championships, held over two days.

The week isa greatchance to work with all the coaches, to help and develop their ideas and share thoughts and theories. This year saw a great group of coaches who really made big differences to the athletes. Young WAIS sailors took part in a coaching course, and worked with the junior sailors. Those involved included Ryan Hannan, Mathieu Higgins, Luke Parkinson, Chelsea Hall, Paul Kelly and Jasper Warren. Diego Figueroa, the coach for Royal Perth,has been amazing with the Optimist sailors, and in 25 knots the junior sailors, and some only 10 years old, were the only ones out training in the squalls, excelling for there age.

In the Youth State Championships Mat Jerwood and Patrick Vos won all the 420 races, but were over the line at the start in the first 2 races which cost them the championship. David Gilmour and his new crew James Omay sailed consistently with a string of second place finishes to win the regatta.

Mark Whittington is new to the Laser Radial and has shown very quick development in the class. Together withhis great hiking style that he islearning from his new coach, Fremantle Sailing Club coach Arthur Brett, he is showing a lot of potential.

WAIS Sailing holds a Puffin Pacer Racing series where all squad members race against each other once a week in the same class of boat.

This week we held it at Fremantle Sailing Club, in strong wind and waves. The winners of this week’s racing were Tim Castles and Jen Middleton,who just beat Mark Whittington sailing with Chelsea Hall. It all came down to the Medal Race, where Tim and Jen sailed a great race to lead from the first mark, and win the day. Last week’s winner, Jasper Warren finished third.