WAIS Sailors Embark on Japanese Sailing Exchange

Published On: 17 September 2015

A group of Australian Sailing Youth sailors have departed to Wakayama, Japan this week following an invitation from the Japan Sailing Federation (JSAF) to participate in the AUS/JPN Youth Exchange Program (17-23 September).

The Laser Radial and 420 sailors will be the guests of the Japan Sailing Federation at Wakayama Sailing Club. It will be the fourth year of this exchange, which is highly valued by both countries.

2015 Australian Sailing Youth Team members Jacinta Ainsworth (WAIS), Alec Brodie (NSW) and Xavier Winston-Smith (NSW) will be heading to Japan in the Laser Radial and 420 ranks, with Ainsworth looking forward to learning in new conditions as she continues her athlete development.

“I’m really keen to learn a lot from Japan and experience the different conditions it’ll offer, as this trip is another stepping stone as I prepare myself for the Youth Worlds this year,”she said.

Conor Nicholas (WAIS), who just won the 2015 Laser Radial Youth World Championship in August and Sophie McIntosh (NSW) and Emily Summerell (NSW) were also invited after finishing the 2015 Australian Sailing Youth Team selection in the runner-up positions in their respective boat classes.

Nicholas said learning to fend for himself would form an integral part of his trip.

“The trip to Japan will be a great opportunity for me to come back to racing after the World Champs. Also being on a trip without my parents will be important for me to manage myself well so I can perform during the event and for future regattas,” he said.

The group will be 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 and former Laser Radial World Champion Tristan Brown (WA).

The program is embedded in the Japanese Youth National Team training camp and the Japanese selection races for the ISAF Youth Worlds to take place in Malaysia at the end of December. The Australian sailors will participate in the Laser Radial and 420 events with racing taking place 20 – 22 September 2015.

The program offers both Japanese and Australian Sailing pathway sailors a great opportunity to not only improve their skills and techniques, but also to find lasting friendship between the two countries.

-YachtingAus