PERTH 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships

The Australian Sailing Team’s Paralympic crews are preparing for their first shot at qualifying for the 2012 London Paralympic Games with the 2010 IFDS World Championships beginning in Holland today.

Four Australian crews have made the trek to Medemblik, Holland, for the opportunity to qualify the country in three Paralympic classes for London 2012, the Skud 18, Sonar, and 2.4mR.

Taking part in their first major regatta together since winning the Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games is the Australian Sailing Team crew of Daniel Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox who will be joined in the Skud 18 class by the Australian Sailing Development Squad crew of Ame Barnbrook and Lindsay Mason.

“We’ve had a big job preparing the new boat for the regatta but things seem to be coming together quite well,” said Fitzgibbon. “Both Rachael and I are feeling confident and are looking forward to getting back into the competition.”

Barnbrook and Mason are competing in their first regatta since taking victory at the opening round of the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Melbourne last December and are looking forward to the challenge the 2010 IFDS World Championships presents.

“This regatta is going to be slightly unpredictable as there are new sailors and new teams, so we will just have to rely on our preparation which will see us through,” said Barnbrook.

“We’ve spent the last week preparing here and seeing a whole range of weather conditions and now we’re ready to go racing and qualify Australia for the 2012 Games.”

The Australian Sailing Team’s Sonar crew will debut their new combination in Holland with Beijing Bronze medalists Colin Harrison and Russell Boaden teaming up with Rod Angwin.

“Our primary goal for the regatta is to qualify the country for 2012,” said Harrison.

“Secondly, as this is our team’s first international event together, I expect to see continued development of our strengths and the elimination of any errors.”

“I’m sure as we get closer and closer to the start there will be a heightened sense of anticipation that the event has now arrived and the nerves will build, however we feel that we have dealt with these and are now in a position to go racing,” he said.

Tasmanian sailor Matthew Bugg will make his international 2.4mR debut in Holland and is keen to begin racing on the world stage.

“Heading into the regatta I’m excited and really looking forward to competing in a fleet of 55 boats,” said Bugg.

“At the moment I’m not feeling too nervous but I’m sure at the start line tomorrow there will be some adrenaline.”

“Our preparation has been really good, we’ve been doing a lot of training and getting a feel for the location,” he said.

“We’ve had breeze from all different directions and wonderful weather and now we’re all ready to go racing.”

Racing begins in Holland today with the 2010 IFDS World Champions to be crowned on Wednesday July 14.

For more information visit www.australiansailingteam.com.au.

Perth 2011's Sailing Perth radio show interviewed Paralympic Silver Medallist Rachael Cox today on Sport FM (91.3FM).  The podcast will be available on perth2011.com early next week.

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