Australian Paralymipc Sailors Test Rio Venue
Australian Sailing Team’s (AST) Paralympic sailors have returned to Australia this week after a three-week training camp in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It was the first opportunity for the Paralympic class sailors to test the waters of Guanabara Bay, which will host the largest event in the Paralympic sporting world, the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games from 7-18 September 2016.
The team in Rio included Australian Sailing Team’s three Paralympic crews of London 2012 Paralympic Skud-18 champions Daniel Fitzgibbon (NSW) and Liesl Tesch (NSW), the Sonar team of Colin Harrison (WAIS), Jonathan Harris (NSW) and Russell Boaden (WAIS) as well as 2.4mR sailor Matt Bugg (TAS).
Just under a year out from the Paralympic Games, the Australian Sailing Team is looking strong after qualifying all boats in 2014 and recording multiple top podium finishes across the 2015 international season.
The camp saw some of the main international Paralympic Sailing teams come together in Rio to train alongside each other. The venue and the two main race areas were tested during this time with some informal racing taking place with the international teams including; Brazil, Great Britain, France, Norway and Canada.
“It’s been a fantastic trip and we have all learnt so much about Rio. It certainly is a unique place and probably the hardest sailing place we have ever been to,” Australian Sonar Team coach Grant Alderson said.
It was the first time for the Australian Paralympic class sailors in Rio and a welcome opportunity to get accustomed to country and Rio environment as well as to test the waters on what is know as one of the most challenging sailing venues in the world as five time Paralympian and 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Liesl Tesch (NSW) explains:
“I’m so glad we had the opportunity to come for this ‘recce’, most importantly to feel what it’s like out there on the water. The impact of the Sugarloaf Mountain on the racecourse is huge, and sailing in the wind shifts has been extremely challenging, and the perfect preparation for next year.”
“It’s been great having our Canadian training partners here, as well as starting off our training with the British team and the Brazilians. The local sailors have been very friendly and helpful, and it’s great the local sailing club set up race courses for us. And it was great to race the Dutch team out on the course during our last session together as well.”
And about her Rio impressions as a whole she added enthusiastically: “I love Rio de Janeiro and can’t wait to be back. This city has an amazing energy, and I really enjoy the ambience of the people as they go about their lives.
It’s also been an exciting challenge all living and breathing together – we are privileged to have great teammates, as well as talented cooks in our team. Our trip to Rio really has been extremely worthwhile!”
The team will return to Rio in January for another training camp.
Before Rio however, the Australian sailors will tackle the 2015 IFDS World Championships in Melbourne from November 26 – December 3.
-YachtingAus