Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney International On-Water Boat Show 2025

Testing week for Australian sailors at major championships

by Australian Sailing Team / Lisa Darmanin 13 May 2024 13:33 AEST 7-12 May 2024
Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot finish 6th in the 49er FX Europeans at La Grande Motte © YCGM / Didier Hillaire

The Nacra 17 World Championships, 49er, FX, and Mixed 470 European Champions concluded overnight in France, where sailors encountered two extremes of wind conditions in their final test before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Beginning in La Grande Motte, France, the Nacra 17, 49er, and FX sailors faced intense, shifty winds that gradually gave way to light and fickle conditions. Meanwhile, further down the Mediterranean Sea in Cannes, France, the 470 fleet predominantly contended with light breezes throughout the week.

Among the Australian contingent, Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot showcased a strong performance at the FX European Championships. They seized the opportunity in the Medal Race, securing second place in the double-point race and elevating themselves to sixth overall.

Despite missing out on selection for the 2024 Olympics, Harding and Wilmot have demonstrated a promising trajectory throughout the last year. "Annie and I are both super proud of what we have achieved in the last few months, it's great to have put together another top 10 result here," shared Harding. "We have put a lot of work into our little team over the last 8 months and we are just happy to be in Europe racing everyone in their peak form in the lead up to the Games.

Their consistent presence in medal races over the past four events underscores their potential. The pair will be valuable training partners for Games-bound athletes Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine as they meet in Marseille in just a few days' time to resume training along with Olympic medal contenders who were missing from the Europeans including Sweden, Brazil and Netherlands

In the 49er class, Australian Olympic Team members Jim Colley and Shaun Connor approached the week as a chance to refine key areas ahead of the games. However, their aspirations faced setbacks, as Connor lamented, "We went in with the goal of trying to improve our starting execution, and for the most part, it was an improvement. Although we did push the line in two races with two BFDs. So that's obviously made it hard for us with only one drop in the series."

Despite consistent contention throughout the week, Colley and Connor concluded the event in 19th place overall. Reflecting on their extensive racing block overseas, Connor expressed anticipation for returning to Australian soil. "Jim and I have been over in Europe for almost 60 days now, so it's been a while. We'll go home, have some time off for a little bit, and then we're into testing for our Olympic gear at home for a period, and then back to Marseille come the start of June."

At the Nacra 17 World Championships, three Australian teams fiercely competed in the strong 44 boat fleet. Paris 2024 selected athletes Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown came out of the blocks firing in the breeze, a testament to their improvements in strong wind and waves but struggled at the back end of the regatta and dropped to 18th overall.

The Mixed 470 European Championships presented a challenging battle for Nia Jerwood and Connor Nicholas. Despite encountering tough racing, which resulted in them missing out on Gold fleet and finishing in 31st place, Jerwood remained optimistic about the road ahead.

"Results-wise, we're not happy at all. We know what went wrong, and thankfully it is fixable leading into the games," said Nicholas. "We know we're very capable of racing at the front end of the fleet; this week just wasn't our week. Sometimes that's just how it is, and you've got to analyze it, be clinical with your debrief, but don't dwell on it. Pick yourself up and keep moving forward. There are bigger things to aim for. We'll be coming out fighting at the Olympics."

While this marks the final event for these disciplines ahead of the Olympic Games, attention now turns to the Formula Kite World Championships set to commence in Hyeres, France. Paris 2024-bound athlete Breiana Whitehead will compete from the 14th to the 19th of May, showcasing her skills and determination on the world stage.

Event Website Links:

Australian Sailing Team (AST), Australian Sailing Pathway Team (ASPT), Australian Sailing Futures (ASF) and other Australian entries (AUS)

Nacra 17 - 45 entries
18th - Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown (ASPT)
20th - Ruben Booth and Rtia Booth (ASPT)
22nd - Jake Liddell and Lucy Copeland (ASPT)

49er - 70 entries
19th - Jim Colley and Shaun Connor (AST)
26th - Jack Ferguson (AUS) and Max Paul (AST)

49erFX - 29 entries
6th - Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot (AST)
23rd - Seisia Mair and Stella Hurley (AUS)

Mixed 470 - 49 entries
31st - Nia Jerwood and Conor Nicholas (ASPT)
38th - Sophie Jackson and James Jackson (AUS)
39th - Ashlee Daunt and Brayden Daunt (ASF)

Related Articles

Grae Morris Crowned U23 iQFOiL World Champion
After an incredible week of racing in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris has been crowned iQFOiL Under 23 World Champion in Portimão, Portugal, after an incredible week of racing. Morris dominated the fleet, winning 14 of the 19 qualifying races to secure his place directly in the Grand Final. Posted on 14 Sep
Morris Returns to Action at iQFOiL U23 Worlds
Set to feature a mammoth 20 races in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris returns to competition this week in Portimão, Portugal, for the iQFOiL Under 23 World Championships. The regatta runs from 8-13 September and is set to feature a mammoth 20 races over six days on the Atlantic Ocean. Posted on 8 Sep
Young Aussies Medal at ILCA U21 Worlds
Future Shines Bright in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Australia's next generation of sailing talent has made its mark on the world stage, with Isaac Schotte claiming silver and Frances Beebee finishing with a bronze medal at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships. Posted on 1 Sep
Townsville turbocharges Australia's Foiling Future
An intensive training camp for the Australian Sailing Team's iQFOiL squad in Townsville The Australian Sailing Team's iQFOiL squad has wrapped up an intensive training camp in Townsville, harnessing the region's world-class sailing conditions and setting their sights firmly on the future, including Brisbane 2032. Posted on 21 Aug
Trans-Tasman skiff showdown wraps up at HIRW
It was fantastic to come up racing at Hamilton Island The Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er Exhibition Series wrapped up in style at Hamilton Island, with Australia and New Zealand locked in a fierce battle across Olympic-class racing Posted on 20 Aug
Silver for Stranksy at ILCA European Championships
Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week in Marstrand, Sweden Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week of racing at the 2025 ILCA European Championships in Marstrand, Sweden, with Mara Stransky securing silver in the ILCA6 to headline a strong team performance. Posted on 16 Aug
Australians ready for ILCA European showdown
Racing set to start Monday in Marstrand, Sweden The 2025 ILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy is set to get under way at the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club in Marstrand, Sweden with 11 Australians ready to take to the start line. Posted on 11 Aug
Australian Sailing Team and Element 6 Evolution
Elite Partnership Continues Towards LA 2028 The Australian Sailing Team's (AST) ILCA program is built on a legacy of excellence, underpinned by world-class athletes, a strong squad culture, and elite equipment. Posted on 31 Jul
Sailing's Lost Olympic Dream
Honouring the 1980 Yachting Team In an era where politics overshadowed sport, the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow became a defining moment of sacrifice for many Australian athletes, including the 12 sailors who were selected to represent their country but never got the chance to compete. Posted on 30 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERMarkSetBot