Yachting Australia welcomes AIS 'Winning Edge' investment decision

by Cora Zillich on 27 Jun 2014 Yachting Australia welcomed today’s AIS allocation of an additional $1.25 million of Australian Government investment for its Sailing Performance program. The investment decision was based on Sailing’s past performances including London and its potential to contribute to Australia’s Olympic medal tally in Rio and beyond.

'We’re pleased that Sailing has been appropriately recognised based on our Team’s past successes and its future potential for gold medal performances, especially at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. We welcome the increased investment,' said Yachting Australia’s President Matt Allen about today’s decision.

'Our Australian Sailing Team has consistently posted outstanding results, over the last four Olympic Games in particular, including three gold medals at the 2012 London Games and today’s announcement recognises that sailing plays a key role in achieving the AIS’s performance targets.'

Sailing was Australia’s most successful Olympic sport at the 2012 London Olympic Games winning three Gold and one Silver medal. Australian sailors are genuine medal contenders at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in more Olympic Sailing events than ever before. The Australian Sailing Team (AST) comprises fifteen athletes with more than forty athletes on the Australian Sailing Squad.

'This investment decision also recognises our efforts off the water including our endeavours to leverage commercial opportunities for the sport of sailing in Australia and the outstanding support of our AST Patrons. This support remains central to our on-going success',Matt Allen added.

Yachting Australia's CEO Phil Jones explains 'The investment announcement is pleasing and provides the certainty we require to firm up our plans for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are also aware that the Rio campaign, and the Tokyo campaign after that, will be very expensive for our athletes. This investment will help us face many challenges that these venues present as well as allowing us to support our athletes to become the best they can be and invest in sustaining performance.'

Yachting Australia would like to thank the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian Sports Commission and the Federal Government for its ongoing investment and support of Australian Sport.