Emerging Nations Sailors Chase Dreams in Perth
“One of them would always approach the top windward mark on port tack, which means he has no legal rights over other boats,” Brett said.
“He would cause chaos. There would be boats going everywhere like you wouldn’t believe. It was like Moses parting the sea.”
Brett smiles now when thinking about how far Alexandr Denisluc has improved to be competing at Perth 2011 for Moldova in the Laser class.
“He would come in here and create mayhem,” Brett said. “But now because of his determination to be professional in understanding the rules and how to sail – and how to approach in a tactical manner – he’s improved a lot.”
An initiative put in place by Perth 2011 when it was bidding for the event, the Emerging Nations Programme was designed to give athletes from countries with non-traditional sailing backgrounds the opportunity to join the sport at the highest level.
“Our aim was to bring up to world class standard a number of sailors from countries that have previously not participated in an Olympic Games,” Brett said.
“The criterion was that they hadn’t participated in the previous two Olympic games on their own merits.”
Some 30 athletes from countries like Moldova, Latvia, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Serbia and Pakistan have taken part in the Emerging Nations Programme, with regular camps held in Fremantle since the initiative was launched in 2009.
Twelve athletes are taking part in the seventh and final camp, which culminates with the sailors competing in the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
While his athletes may be relatively new to the world of professional sailing, Brett believes they have what it takes to mix with the world’s best.
“Their professionalism has risen from amateur to something very good,” he said. “It’s something any elite sportsman would be proud of.”
But with the best sailors in the world all in Perth and vying for a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Emerging Nations Programme coach is keeping his expectations in check.
“It would be spectacular if one of our athletes could qualify,” Brett said. “It would be really cool, but I don’t have any high expectations. I expect them to compete the best they possibly can.
“But sport is a crazy thing. If we have one sailor, geez, it would be unbelievable.”
Win or lose, Olympic qualifications or not, Brett believes all the sailors who have come through are the embodiment of what the Emerging Nations Programme set out to achieve.
“It’s about showing that you can achieve a dream and to follow that dream,” he said. “That the dream begins in Perth.”