Sailor Aaron Hill named in Aust Paralympic Team
 finished with bronze in the 2[1].4mR today.jpg)
'Aaron Hill (finished with bronze in the 2[1].4mR at the 2008 Asia Pacific Regatta)'
Jeff Crow/
Sport the Library ©
The chance to wear the green and gold on his sport's biggest stage now beckons for Victorian athlete Aaron Hill, after the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) today announced the sailing team to take on the world at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
Hill was one of six sailors named in the Australian team, and will hold the nation's hopes in the 2.4mR class, when he sails for gold at the Paralympic Games venue in Qingdao in September.
Having had his leg amputated above the knee in an attempt to save his life from cancer, Hill first represented Australia in 2003 and said the prospect of representing his country at a Paralympic Games is overwhelming.
'It's something I have been working towards for a few years now so it's great to know that all my hard work to earn selection has been rewarded,' Hill said.
'To know now that I'm going to be competing at a Paralympic Games, is really exciting.'
Hill, from the Victorian town of Metung, joins Brisbane pair Daniel Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox (Skud 18 class) and Perth crew Colin Harrison, Graeme Martin and Russell Boaden (Sonar class) in the six-strong Australian Team - a team Australian Paralympic Sailing head coach Greg Omay believes can cause some real surprises.
And having recently returned from the Paralympic venue, Hill admits he and his Australian team-mates are already feeling the buzz that comes with competing on the ultimate stage.
Hampered by a stomach illness, Hill finished out of the placings in his class at the Paralympic warm-up event last month in Qingdao, situated south-east of Beijing.
'Qingdao is probably the best sailing venue I have ever seen, and the Paralympic warm-up event gave me a good idea of what I'm up against,' Hill said.
'My performance over there wasn't fantastic, I was pretty sick and spent a fair bit of time in bed, but I'm feeling much better now and looking forward to getting back over there.'
APC CEO Darren Peters is confident Hill and the rest of the Australian team will excel at the Games, as they attempt to add to just the one Paralympic gold won by Australia in the sport, at the Sydney 2000 Games.
'The 2008 Australian Paralympic Team will be the largest team we have ever sent overseas,' Mr Peters said.
'And although we know the competition will be tougher than ever before, I'm sure every one of our athletes will do their country proud.'
Australian Paralympic Sailing Team coach Greg Omay shares Mr Peters' confidence.
'Aaron will gain valuable experience competing at the Paralympic Games in China which will also put him in good stead for the London Games in 2012.
by Tina Orr - Sandman Media 
Devonport, TAS
