The Musto/Sturrocks Women's Challenge - Alyse rises to the 'challenge'

6:16 AM Wed 24 Mar 2010 GMT

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Special Olympics Silver Medalist from the 2007, World China Games, 20 year old Alyse Saxby from Newport, took out the Access 303 Division of the Musto/Sturrocks Women's Challenge sailed from Manly Yacht Club on Sunday.

Sailing in 'Sunrise', a yacht donated to Manly Sailability by Manly Sunrise Rotary, and with Pittwater Sailability's Helen Cregan acting as tactician and sail trimmer, Alyse pitted her skills against more experienced able-bodied sailors in a closely contested race.

In a photo finish, the talented young sailor crossed the line in front of 'Woody' sailed by Manly Sailability members Jude Cole, silver medallist in the World Masters Games, and Carol Sawyer. They were closely followed by 'Lionheart' helmed by Manly's Deanne Smith with Helen Hendry making a real race of it. The rest of the fleet of 8 had an exciting tussle for the minor placings.

Alyse adds the impressive Musto /Sturrocks one design trophy to the gold medal she won in the Access 303 / Sailability Division of the 174th Australia Day Regatta. On that occasion Pittwater Sailability's Bob Hamilton was in the co-pilot seat, but Alyse has now proven she's competitive in her own right.

In April she will be joining more than 4,500 athletes who will compete in the 'IX National Special Olympics Australia' to be held in Adelaide.

When asked about her chances in Adelaide, 'I plan to win Gold and make it to the World Games in Athens, Greece, next year,' she says with determination, '...then all my family can come with me!'

Alyse was Introduced to sailing more than ten years ago through an afterschool program run by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).

From DADHC's afterschool program, Alyse moved on to become an active member of Sailability, a volunteer based organisation which provides sailing opportunities for disabled adults and children.

Between sailing, Alyse keeps a busy schedule working two jobs as a kitchen-hand at the Avalon RSL and Ibiza Cafe in Avalon three days a week. She also cooks at House With No Steps in Belrose and with Northside Enterprises' Transition to Work Program in Brookvale.

For more details of the Sailability program, and your local branch, please visit their website: www.sailabilitynsw.org.au

by MYC Media Cole

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