Yachting Victoria’s Schools Sailing program supported by Olympians

by Di Pearson on 21 Jan 2010
Alisa Camplin, Darren Bundock and Elise Rechichi have at least two things in common; they are Olympic medallists and Audi ambassadors, and today at Docklands Waterfront City in Melbourne, the three encouraged school children taking part in Yachting Victoria’s School Sailing program to get involved in sport – at any level.

All three brought their Olympic treasures with them – Camplin, her gold and bronze medals from Salt Lake City in 2002 and Turin, Italy in 2006 respectively – the first person in history to win back to back Olympic Aerial Skiing medals and the first Australian to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics.

Many wrote the gregarious Victorian off when she required reconstructive knee surgery 14 months before the Turin Games, and especially so when the she tragically re-injured her knee just four months prior to Turin. However, she stunned the medical world and the general public with her miraculous and speedy return to the slopes.

After involving Darren Bundock, the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Tornado catamaran silver medallist, and Elise Rechichi, the Beijing gold medallist in the Women’s 470 dinghy in a question and answer session with the kids, Camplin told them how important it is to be active and healthy.

'I’m proud to be here as an Audi ambassador. They’re not like other sponsors; they are very involved in the sports they sponsor. They are very keen to see school kids get into sailing and winter sports at the grass roots level,' Camplin said.

'Audi knows it’s not just about sport at a grand prix level and my job is to relate that to the kids; show them how to start early. It’s not only about aiming for such heights as the Olympics, but to do sport for enjoyment too,' said Camplin who is a great role model.

Elise Rechichi won her gold medal at 22 years of age at her first Olympic Games. Dubbed the ‘pocket rocket’ the pint sized sailor is passionate about sport and is in her final year of study for her commercial pilot’s license.

The West Australian, who turned 24 earlier this month, commented this afternoon: 'It’s nice to see a sponsor such as Audi so totally involved in our sport. It’s a great atmosphere here at the Docklands and the kids were so enthusiastic and responsive,' she said.

'Everything Audi does they do well, so I was happy to be invited to take part in this program. It’s so important to get kids involved in sport,' she said.

Darren Bundock who won two silver medals in the Tornado catamaran class agrees. 'It’s important for kids to get involved in some form of sport. Ross Kilborn (the CEO of Yachting Victoria) gave the kids an introduction to us and showed them our Olympic medals,' he said.

'The kids were great; we went and played with the 1 Metre remote controlled yachts and I spotted a couple with potential talent. I hope we helped by being here today, showing them our medals and encouraging them,' he said.

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