Australian Sailing Team prepares for Palma

by Di Pearson 28 Mar 2019 19:48 NZDT 29 March - 6 April 2019

Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot during a practice session - Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Regatta © Beau Outteridge

Members of the Australian Sailing Team have arrived in the Spanish coastal town of Palma, Mallorca, where they are preparing for the first European Olympic classes event of the season; the 50th Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia in Palma, where they will be pitted against other elite sailors from around the globe.

To be held from 1 to 6 April on the Mediterranean little more than a year out from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, the Australian squad of 25 will represent across six classes.

Men's 470 skipper, Mat Belcher is the most experienced, having delivered gold and silver Olympic medals from the 2012 and 2016 Games respectively, crewed by Will Ryan in the latter. Ryan's sister, Jaime also has Olympic experience, having made her debut in 2016 in the Women's 470. She has successfully made the switch to the 49erFX as crew for Tess Lloyd.

Unusual for any sport, among the crews are two sets of brothers (49er), a brother and sister (470 Men and 49er FX), cousins and siblings, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa and Paul Darmanin (Nacra 17).

In the Nacra 17, successful sailing cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin won Silver at the 2016 Olympics. Joining them in Palma is Darminan's brother Paul and his crew Lucy Copeland.

David and Lachy Gilmour head to the course - Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Regatta - photo © Beau Outteridge

Brothers David and Lachy Gilmour have strong sailing genes, their father Peter, is an America's Cup veteran and a four-time World Match Racing Tour winner. The brothers had pursued separate campaigns in the 49er, but have since joined forces, while brothers Sam and Will Phillips have been sailing partners for some years.

49er brothers Sam and Will Phillips - Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Regatta - photo © Beau Outteridge

Australian Sailing's Performance Director, Iain Murray commented today, "Are the athletes on track to deliver? That's what we'll find out this week.

"This is an exam of sorts for them this is the first of the European season's events. We'll see if they are on trajectory we'll see where they are at. We will see if there are things that need fixing - there always are things to look at."

Murray, who will join the team in Mallorca on Tuesday, will be on water every day to assess "and to check progress," he said. "They have all done lots of work. We have a few not getting consistent results, so we will look at that."

Overall, Murray concedes it is good to have many high-achieving teams in some classes pushing each other. "There are hopes in a lot of these classes where some have been on the fringe."

With a vast sailing repertoire that includes representing Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as skipper of the Star keelboat, Murray is well aware of the factors involved in preparing for the Games and for a successful campaign.

"Health, fitness, mental preparation, all come into it. Can we get it all together and turn into a result? That's what we're here to find out," he said.

This campaign and others this year are crucial for selection for the 2020 Olympic Games.