Pursuing the Olympic Dream

by Laura Baldwin on 27 Jun 2008 Anyone could become an Olympian in the Women’s Match Race Class in London 2012. All you need is to want it more than anyone or anything else! says British Olympian Laura Baldwin, the Yachting Australia Media and Marketing coordinator ahead of the Yachting Australia meeting

It was a meeting much like this that change the path my life was to follow. I attended the Yngling Development Squad Trials when the Women’s Keelboat was first introduced in 2001 and although I didn’t go down the keelboat route I was sold on Olympic sailing enough to commit the next eight years of my life to the sport.

I was a 21 year old uni student and average weekend sailor when I decided to sacrifice everything in my life as I knew it to pursue the Olympic dream. No one thought I stood any chance of making it but after three years of giving it everything I could, I won selection to represent Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the Europe Class.

If the thought of representing Australia at the Olympic Games sends shivers down your spine and makes your heart rate increase, come along to this meeting because it could very well be you who’s dream comes true!'

What: Information night about Women's Match Racing at the 2012 Olympics

When: Tuesday 22nd July at 5:30pm

Where: Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron - Milson Room (ask at reception for directions)

Who: Anyone that has an interest in Women's Match Racing towards the 2012 Olympics is invited to attend.

This would include: those that are interested or who have thought about competing in Women's Match Racing at the Olympics, those that would be interested in being involved in Match Racing training squads, as well as parents, partners, coaches, supporters and sponsors.

Why: Match Racing is now an Olympic discipline for Women at the 2012 London Olympics. The Australian Sailing Team director Michael Jones would like to present to interested parties about how Womens Match Racing will now be supported under the High Performance section of Yachting Australia and how to get involved in Match Racing and answer any questions that you may have.

RSVP: Please register your intention to attend this meeting with Michael Dunstan at the Australian Sailing Team on:
* Email michael.dunstan@australiansailingteam.com.au
* Tel: 02 8424 7411
* Mob: 0409 848 551

If you are unable to attend but would like to receive an information pack that will be prepared following the meeting, please register by email.