Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Fast-Finishing Aussies 'on the up' towards Paris 2024

by Lisa Darmanin 7 Dec 2021 00:36 GMT 1-6 December 2021

The ILCA 6 World Championships concluded in Oman overnight with two Australians finishing in the top 15.

Tokyo Olympian Mara Stransky finished sixth overall and made it clear that she has the skills and determination to make her mark at the 2024 Olympic Games after finishing 14th in Tokyo earlier this year.

Western Australian Zoe Thomson showed a positive trajectory and plenty of promise in her results across the week. Thomson finished the regatta on a high, placing fifth in the final race and solidifying her 13th place in the overall rankings.

Two races were completed on the final day in enjoyable yet challenging conditions, "Initially the breeze was super soft and patchy but it filled in pretty nicely throughout the racing," Thomson shared.

"Sailing with the international fleet highlighted the importance of getting off the line clean and prioritising the first shift. As a squad I think we gained so much through this trip, and we are super keen to get back to work throughout the Australian summer."

Australian Sailing Technical Director Michael Blackburn commented, "I'm really happy with the progress Mara and Zoe have shown over the past 18 months since the 2020 worlds, where they were 18th and 24th respectively. This is off the back of limited racing in a fleet which is dominated by Europeans who have had far easier access to international competition."

The Olympic Gold Medal winning coach continued, "It's a great testament to Mara & Zoe's drive and determination towards a great result in Marseille at the 2024 Olympics,"

"Special mention to coach Rafa Trujillo for stepping up to the ILCA class, coaching two top six results at two World Championships within a couple of weeks" Blackburn concluded.

Trujillo was pleased with how the squad improved throughout the week and that Stransky and Thomson got away to good starts today, was actions that were reflected in their results.

Going forward he observed, "They need improve their daily priorities with wind strength and fleet size to help build consistency, and most of all they need to get off the start line. Considering their poor starts over the week this was an amazing performance."

Although it was not their regatta, squad members Elyse Ainsworth and Casey Imeneo have also been working hard over an extended tour in Europe and Oman.

After a promising start to the regatta Ainsworth finished in 31st overall. "My biggest challenge this week was myself, unfortunately I let my thoughts get the best of me," Ainsworth shared.

With raw emotion Ainsworth showed her commitment to her squad, "It was tough lesson and although I'm upset I didn't achieve my best, I'm very proud of our squad's improvements and results this week. I see good things coming for our squad this quad."

The Australian ILCA 6 athletes will head back to Australia for the summer as they gear up for a big 2022 season. There is no doubt they have a common mission towards achieving greatness at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Australian Sailing Team (AST), Australian Sailing Squad (ASS) and other Australian (AUS) Results:

6th Mara Stransky (AST) 12, (33), 11, 6, 13, (47), 21, 9, 1, 10, 4 - 87 pts
13th Zoe Thomson (ASS) (26), 18, 17, 9, (33), 17, 22, 16, 16, 24, 5 - 144 pts
31st Elyse Ainsworth (ASS) 22, 3, 19, 12, (50), 30, 33, 41, 33, (61), 45 - 239 pts
42nd Paige Caldecoat (AUS) (49), 34, 35, (BFD), 22, 29, 47, 47, 27, 35, 20 - 296 pts
44th Evie Saunders (AUS) 53, 26, 40, 18, 47, (54), 35, 7, (BFD), 49, 31 -306 pts
56th Casey Imeneo (ASS) 39, (56), 43, 41, 42, (59), 56, 43, 25, 42, 25 - 356 pts

View the full results here.

Related Articles

Grae Morris Crowned U23 iQFOiL World Champion
After an incredible week of racing in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris has been crowned iQFOiL Under 23 World Champion in Portimão, Portugal, after an incredible week of racing. Morris dominated the fleet, winning 14 of the 19 qualifying races to secure his place directly in the Grand Final. Posted on 14 Sep
Morris Returns to Action at iQFOiL U23 Worlds
Set to feature a mammoth 20 races in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris returns to competition this week in Portimão, Portugal, for the iQFOiL Under 23 World Championships. The regatta runs from 8-13 September and is set to feature a mammoth 20 races over six days on the Atlantic Ocean. Posted on 8 Sep
Young Aussies Medal at ILCA U21 Worlds
Future Shines Bright in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Australia's next generation of sailing talent has made its mark on the world stage, with Isaac Schotte claiming silver and Frances Beebee finishing with a bronze medal at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships. Posted on 1 Sep
Silver for Stranksy at ILCA European Championships
Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week in Marstrand, Sweden Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week of racing at the 2025 ILCA European Championships in Marstrand, Sweden, with Mara Stransky securing silver in the ILCA6 to headline a strong team performance. Posted on 16 Aug
Australian Sailing Team and Element 6 Evolution
Elite Partnership Continues Towards LA 2028 The Australian Sailing Team's (AST) ILCA program is built on a legacy of excellence, underpinned by world-class athletes, a strong squad culture, and elite equipment. Posted on 31 Jul
Sailing's Lost Olympic Dream
Honouring the 1980 Yachting Team In an era where politics overshadowed sport, the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow became a defining moment of sacrifice for many Australian athletes, including the 12 sailors who were selected to represent their country but never got the chance to compete. Posted on 30 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul
Tough conditions test Morris
As iQFOiL World Championships wrap up The iQFOiL World Championships have drawn to a close in Aarhus, Denmark, following a week of light and unpredictable wind that tested both race officials and athletes to the limit. Posted on 11 Jul
Grae Morris Takes on the iQFOiL Worlds
Shifty conditions on the first day in Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus, Denmark is serving up everything but predictability as the iQFOiL World Championships get under way, and Australian Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris is ready to assert his place at the top of the new Olympic cycle. Posted on 6 Jul