Two Sunshine Coast teenagers have set sail for the 2032 Olympics on home waters, after being named in the Australian Sailing Futures Squad.
Buderim’s Frazer Brew and Noosaville’s Rylie Sinclair are regarded as real prospects in the Laser Standard and Kite Foiling classes respectively.
They are among almost 50 young talents to be selected in the squad, which includes eight Olympic classes.
The Laser sailors are in the midst of a training camp at Mooloolaba, May 11 to 22.
That camp also includes national representatives, training under the watch of Australian coach Michael Blackburn.
“I’m pretty lucky to have the camp in my backyard,” Brew said.
“We have the best laser sailors around Australia here, to make a small fleet, which will help push along our Olympic representative Matt Wearn.
“And it’s a great opportunity for younger guys like me, to be racing against some of the world’s best.”
A similar camp was held for them in New South Wales last month, while another will be held in Yeppoon next month.
“The coach is trying to select locations which will be similar to Japan (Olympics),” Brew said.
“Matt would normally be training there, in those conditions already, but if he can’t be there, we can try and replicate it here.”
Brew is eager to get to the Olympics as well, and it’s the 2032 edition which he has his eyes on, especially because South East Queensland is the preferred bidder to host it.
“I’m looking at 2032. It’s still a while down the track and right now I’m just getting bashed around by the older guys and trying to learn from the experience.”
The 19-year-old said he should be in his prime by then.
“Sailing is kind of a slightly older person’s sport,” he said.
“If you’ve got more experience, you generally do better, although it is still quite physical, especially in the Laser.
“It’s a mix of fitness and experience and 28 (years old) is sort of the magic number.”
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Australia is renowned for Laser sailing, having claimed gold in 2012 (Tom Slinsgby) and 2016 (Tom Burton), while Wearn has finished second at the past three world championships.
Brew made the transition from the youth division (Laser Radial) to the open division (Laser Standard) last year. The Standard has a larger sail.
“I’m trying to make my way up the ranks,” he said.
“The Futures Program gives us a head-start coming out of the youth to the men’s class.”
He’s always been involved in single-handed competition “because it’s the cheapest, easiest and most competitive class in the world”.
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And he’s committed.
The former Matthew Flinders Anglican School student did distance education through much of high school, to focus on his sailing.
He trains at Mooloolaba and at Moreton Bay, via the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, a leading club for Laser sailors.
He’s also started a part-time dual degree (Engineering and Science) at the University of Queensland.
Sinclair is also aiming for the 2032 Games.
“I’m definitely looking at it,” she said.
“It’s especially exciting to have the Olympics most likely in Queensland.”
The 18-year-old Lake Cootharaba competitor has tried several classes and has seemingly found her niche with kite foiling.
She’s only been doing it for about a year, after being introduced to it by local and national coach Ryan Palk.
“I’m definitely really new to it compared to some of the others in the Futures squad but I’ve been really happy with how I’m progressing,” she said.
“We have a lot of camps this year so I’m really keen to improve and see where I can take it.”
Kite Foiling will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024.
It’s a thrilling class to be involved with, according to Sinclair.
“It’s so fun, it’s so fast and exciting and because the conditions are always changing, you never know what you’re going to get.”
“It’s hard work but very rewarding at the same time.”
She was among Futures Squad Kite Foiling members to take part in a recent camp at Noosa’s Laguna Bay.
“We got to do some training as a team and got to know each other and everyone’s skill level,” she said.
