Dinghy Group (in conjunction with the Tasmanian Sailing Academy) has 8 members attending the NSW Youth Championships at Georges River 16ft Skiff sailing club on the 3rd-5th of October 2009.
This year the TSA has expanded its numbers in both the development squad and Tasmanian Institute of Sport squad. Growth of the development squad is required to maintain the youth stocks so the program has plenty of depth of talent in later years. Having this depth means that the developing sailor are getting the high performance coaching early so their knowledge and skill is constantly be increased.
All members of the TSA train on the water 5 sessions a week, a combination of early mornings, after school and all day Sunday (alternate weeks for single sail and 2 sail boats). Off water training includes fitness. All this is arranged to fit in with their school work and social time.
The NSW youths will see most of the new TSA squad laser and Windsurfer sailors taking part. The sailors are Zach Pullen radial, Zach Petterd radial/4.7, Nathan Mc Millian radial, Angus Barton radial, Emma Barton 4.7, Hugh Jones 4.7, Oisin Asmal 4.7 and Jack Mc Cullum Bic Windsurfer.
All TSA members, as part of their entry, must take part in their class national championships and the Australia Youth championships. On top of these events their state coach has arranged for members to sail in the Queensland youth championships, NSW Youth championships , Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne.
For some of the TSA members this NSW youths will be their first major regatta away from Tasmania. The youngest member is 13 years old.
Follow the results at: http://www.yachtingnsw.com.au/
We wish the sailors best of luck this coming weekend