WAIS Sailors Enter the New Year with a Bang
2016 has well and truly begun with WAIS Sailing athletes securing both Gold and Silver medals at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia.
The regatta spanned from the 27th of December to the 3rd of January and saw a comfortable Gold medal win in Laser Radial Boys from Alistair Young after securing his lead the day before the final race where he sailed into victory with a solid 32 points.
The Women’s competition also saw success with a close silver medal placement for Australians Nia Jerwood and Lisa Smith who were fought to be beaten in the 420 Girls after their Polish competitors held their lead by just one point.
WAIS Athlete Jacinta Ainsworth experienced a career highlight after winning her first international race and finishing in 8th position in the Laser Radial Women.
The solid performances by the Australian athletes at the Championships also led to the icing on the cake with Australia winning the Nations Trophy for the first time in the Trophy’s history, leading the runner-up New Zealand by 34 points.
Fellow WAIS athlete Conor Nicholas has also enjoyed a fantastic victory winning both of his races with a clean sweep to be named the Laser National Champion in Sydney.
These results highlight the incredible preparation the athletes have done with sessions including those in the WAIS gym as well as the heat chamber facilities on site which made the transition to the Malaysian heat that little bit easier for the athletes.
Credit must also be given to the coaching staff, most particularly Tristan Brown and Belinda Stowell who accompanied the athletes on this journey as well as Arthur Brett who coached the sailors at WAIS.
After a successful start to the New Year the West Australian athletes will return to Perth to continue their training.