Australian Sailing Development Squad creating champions of the future

8:46 AM Tue 17 Mar 2009 GMT

Craig Heydon

The Australian Sailing Team has begun the search for Olympic champions for London 2012 and beyond with the announcement of the 2009 Australian Sailing Development Squad.

After a successful 2008 saw Australia win two Gold and one Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, along with three World Championship and two European Championship titles, Australia's elite sailors will once again be looking for a strong showing in 2009.

The Australian Sailing Development Squad is the national development squad for Olympic and Paralympic class representatives in Australia. Selected annually, the Australian Sailing Development Squad is designed to assist up-and-coming athletes on their path towards becoming a member of the Australian Sailing Team.

The Squad's goal is to develop talent and create athletes capable of being a part of future Australian Sailing Teams, and win Gold Medals for Australia in 2012 and beyond.

The 2009 ASDS features 42 sailors representing a range of Olympic classes, in addition to these athletes the Australian representatives of the new Women's Match Racing Olympic class are still being determined.

Yachting Australia CEO Phil Jones believes that a number of future World and Olympic Champions are in the 2009 ASDS.

'Australia has a proud sailing history and in the 2009 ASDS I see a group of athletes who will certainly continue this legacy for many years to come,' said Mr Jones.

'As we head to London 2012 and beyond it is pleasing to see such a strong group of Australian sailors coming through the ranks and competing for a place in the Australian Sailing Team,' he said.

Two time Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Champion and ASDS member Gabrielle King has her sights set firmly on a place in Australia's 2012 team aboard her Laser Radial.

New South Wales Laser sailor Ashley Brunning is a part of the ASDS once again, having recently claimed victory at the Asia Pacific and Australian Laser Championships, and having strong results at Sail Melbourne and the Sydney International Regatta.

Fellow ASDS member Iain Jensen will be sailing a 49er alongside current World Champion and Olympic representative Nathan Outteridge.

Sam Kivell from Victoria joins the ASDS and will be sailing a 470, having recently finished third at Sail Melbourne. Sam claimed a second place at the 2006 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship which was held in Weymouth, the London 2012 sailing venue.

Athletes for the Paralympic classes are currently being assessed and an announcement on those selections will be made after a national camp in May.

by Craig Heydon

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Australian Sailing Development Squad creating champions of the future

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