Australian Sailing Youth Team announced for 2020 World Championships

2020 Australian Sailing Youth Team © Beau Outteridge

Australian Sailing is excited to announce the 2020 Australian Sailing Youth Team (ASYT) after the completion of the final qualifying event, the Australian Youth Championships that was successfully held at Sorrento Couta Boat Club in January.

The athletes selected in the team will go on to represent Australia at the 2020 Youth Sailing World Championships to be held in Salvador, Brazil in December.

Zoe Dransfield and Madeleine Mcleay (NSW) from Middle Harbour Yacht Club are representing Australia in the Int 29er Girls and are extremely excited to confirm their spot on the team.

"It's pretty surreal to work towards a goal the past year and to have it happen" said Madeleine.

"It's an honour to represent Australia," added Zoe.

In the Int 29er Boys, representatives Ethan Galbraith and Charles Zeeman (TAS) from Safety Beach Sailing Club were elated to find out about their selection in the ASYT.

"We both didn't know we made the provisional team until just before the presentation at the Australian Youth Champs, so it was pretty sick when we found out," said Ethan.

Ethan and Charles continued their excellent form leading into the Australian Youth Championships, after taking out the Aussie 29er title that Ethan claimed as a highlight for the Tasmanian duo.

"A highlight for us was definitely the Australian 29er Nationals at Blairgowrie where we won by match racing the WA team in the last race."

At only 15-years of age, Mina Ferguson (NSW) from Woollahra Sailing Club has had an excellent last 12 months and can't wait to jump on the plane to Brazil.

"I am super excited to be selected in the Radial class and to be going to Salvador in Brazil.

"A highlight this year for me was probably Laser Radial Youth Worlds in Canada where I was the 2nd Australian female and 10th overall at the regatta."

Michael Compton (WA) from South of Perth Yacht Club and Fremantle Sailing Club confirmed his place as the Laser Radial Boys representative after winning the Australian Youth Championships.

"It's not the way I wanted to win the regatta by not sailing the last two days, but I'm excited to go to Brazil and sail for Australia."

Other selections include Int 420 representatives Linus Talacko and Lachlan Grogan (VIC) and Bridget Conrad and India Gilbert (NSW), Nacra15 crew Georgia Payne (WA) and Nathan Bryant (NSW) and Techno 293 Plus representatives Grea Morris (NSW) and Amelia Quinn (NSW).

The 2020 Youth Sailing World Championships are scheduled to take place in Salvador, Brazil from 12 - 19 December 2020. World Sailing are closely monitoring the global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, and will continue to evaluate the impact on the hosting of the Youth Sailing World Championships.

An announcement on the Team Leader and Coaches for the team is expected in the near future.

Find out more about the 2020 Youth Sailing World Championships here.

2020 Australian Youth Team:

Int 29er Boys: Ethan Galbraith and Charles Zeeman (TAS)
Int 29er Girls: Zoe Dransfield and Maddie Mcleay (NSW)
Int 420 Boys: Linus Talacko and Lachlan Grogan (VIC)
Int 420 Girls: Bridget Conrad and India Gilbert (NSW)
Laser Radial Boys: Michael Compton (WA)
Laser Radial Girls: Mina Ferguson (NSW)
Nacra 15: Georgia Payne and Nathan Bryant (WA/NSW)
Techno 293 Plus: Grae Morris (NSW)
Techno 293 Plus: Amelia Quinlan (NSW)

For more information visit www.australiansailing.org.