Australian Youth Sailing Report from Kiel Week
Kiel Week, Germany has been a great shake in for the Youth team into the European racing dynamic. The fleets are big, the days are long and the weather is tough! It was the standard Kiel summer with 14 degree days and 18 to 20 knot winds with massive rain squalls.
The Laser and RSX sailors raced in the Olympic week against many who were in the middle of their Olympic trials. Ashley Stoddart just missed the medal race finishing 11th and third Australian.
WAIS athlete Matthew Wearn in his first World cup event enjoyed mixing it with the bigger guys in the full rig Laser, finishing a commendable 26th and fourth Australian (and second Youth). Annalise Gilbert gained a lot from her first international event, and together with WAIS athlete Eamon Robertshaw (who was injured) were very lucky to have 5 time Olympian and Gold, Silver and Bronze medallist, Barbara Kendall coaching.
The International Kiel week began straight after the Olympic week, and the weather was very similar. The 420’s and 29ers were racing and the boys got off to a terrific start in both classes, taking a top three position from the second day. The 420 boys, Alex Gough and Angus Galloway sailed consistently well throughout the series to clinch a win and the Gold medal after a measured and solid race in the lighter wind on the last day. The girls, Ella Clark (WAIS) and Carrie Smith (WAIS) had some good races but starting proved difficult, and manoeuvring through the fleets tested their skills. They finished 34th out of 177 and seventh women.
The 29er sailors, Lewis Brake and Josh Franklin managed to hold onto their lead of only two points going into the final race. Despite a poor start, they fought through the fleet to finish with a sixth, two places ahead of their nearest opponent and taking the Gold medal.
It is a great result for the sailors and is good preparation for the Youth Worlds which start on the 7th July in Croatia which should be a bit warmer than Kiel!
Thanks to my fellow coaches, David Mann and Mike Fletcher for their work with the sailors throughout the week.
We have one day in Kiel before flying out to Zadar on Tuesday.
Thanks to Yachting Australia, Australian Sports Commission, OAMPS Insurance Brokers and SLAM for the support to give the team a fighting chance!
Belinda Stowell, Australian Youth Team Head Coach