ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship debut for Spearman

by Craig Heydon on 11 Jul 2012 Laser Radial sailor Mark Spearman will make his ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship debut this month in Ireland.

It won’t however be the first time the West Australian teenager has pulled on the green and gold as Spearman got his first taste of representing Australia back in 2010 when he competed in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

'The Youth Olympic Games was a great preparation for the ISAF Youth Worlds as it gave me some idea of what it will be like,' he said.

'Just like in Singapore the Youth Worlds will feature a small close fleet of one boat per country and all the athletes and coaches staying in the same place together for the whole event, which is a unique experience.'

Since competing at the Youth Olympic Games Spearman has been campaigning in the Laser Radial class, booking his place on the Australian Youth Sailing Team following his strong showing at the 2012 Australian Youth Championship in Brisbane.

Last week Spearman returned to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to compete in the 2012 Laser Radial Youth World Championship.

The West Australian finished the week ninth overall, with a number of strong races, including a first and a third on the last day of competition.

'My preparations for the Youth Worlds are going well with racing in Brisbane just before heading off to Ireland,' said Spearman.

'There’s no training as good as the close racing of a World Championships which we got in Brisbane.' Spearman is not only looking forward to the chance to race in Ireland but also to catch up with old rivals and family members.

'I'm looking forward to everything about the ISAF Youth Worlds, from the strong competition to catching up with people I used to sail against back in Optimists,' said Spearman.

'Also it’s a good chance to see Irish relatives while I'm over there.'

Racing begins in Dublin on Saturday 14 July and continues until Friday 20 July.

ISAF Youth Worlds website