SSORC - Beijing and Delhi Gold Medal Swimmer tests his endurance

by Louise Bashford on 24 Nov 2010 Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) update.

Decorated with 11 Paralympics gold and silver medals, an Order of Australia and several world records, Ben Austin will trade his swimsuit for deck shoes and join some of Australia’s top sailors in the 33rd SSORC.

Following in the footsteps of the namesake Olympic sailor, Ben Austin makes his offshore racing debut during this premier yacht racing event on 27 and 28 November - crossing the same start line as yachts in the Rolex Sydney Hobart only a month later.

It's no surprise the Middle Harbour Yacht Club event is dubbed the iconic ocean race's form guide. 33-year-old Austin who just recently returned home with a gold medal from Delhi has never been on a sailing boat before. He says: 'It’s gonna be a good challenge, I’ve always wanted to do. I love being out on the water.'

The Paralympian who also represented his club in able-bodied swimming will be sailing on a yacht in the IRC and PHS Passage racing division. Competing boats will race a long offshore race each day, commencing and finishing in Sydney Harbour. Austin says: 'It's going to be good to be amongst other athletes and learn from them. I'm a sprinter, not an endurance athlete, so it will be interesting.'

While the sailing novice will be using the race just as an opportunity to challenge himself and take the focus off his swimming for a well-deserved break, MHYC is hoping to bring able bodied and disabled athletes together again on Sydney Harbour in 2012 when they are pitted against each other for the World Access Games.

The Club is looking to stage the premier sailing event as part of the Club's grass roots program which also includes a strong support of youth training and Olympic squad development.

This weekend's SSORC is sure to be a thrilling race for Austin and other guests at MHYC with an outstanding pool of prizes and prestigious trophies to be won and the first chance to realize the form of the cream of the fleet for the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

www.mhyc.com.au