Posted on: April 2nd, 2013 by sailingshack
Sandringham Yacht Club’s Jeremy O’Connell is chasing his dream of representing Australia at the Olympics in Sailing, and is heading to Europe this year to train and compete against the world’s best sailors, but he needs a boat to be able to compete, and a car to transport his boat.
O’Connell plans to compete in four regattas over three months in Europe this season in the lead up to his main event – the Under 21 Laser Standard World Championships in Hungary.
To raise the $8,000 required to purchase a Laser boat, hire a car and cover accommodation costs the 20-year-old has turned to Team Bus, Australia’s sport crowdfunding website.
O’Connell is the first Australian sailor to crowdfund his sporting dream, using the same fundraising tool that has become commonly used by filmmakers, artists and inventors to raise billions of dollars globally.
“I have decided to turn to crowdfunding because I need to call on my sponsors, friends and family and the broader community to help me chase my Olympic dream,” said O’Connell. (more…)
Posted on: March 13th, 2013 by sailingshack
Check out the new Laser Sailing Video of Victorian Institute of Sport sailor Jeremy O’Connell filmed off Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne. Sailing Shack’s Ben Hartnett filmed and edited the footage for Jeremy. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/sailingshack
Posted on: February 21st, 2013 by sailingshack
The Victorian State Championship season kicks off in full with the Victorian 420 State Championships on this weekend at Mornington Yacht Club Feb 23/24, this is followed by the Minnow State Championships at McCrae YC on March 2/3 and then the Victorian Optimist State Championships at Mordialloc Sailing Club. The Victorian Laser State Championships is on March 23/34 at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club which is the host of the Australian Youth Championships with Blairgowrie in January 2014.
Victorian Laser States are at Sorrento March 23/24
Posted on: February 21st, 2013 by sailingshack
From Peter Hackett The unmistakeable blue sail of the Minnow is something of an icon in Australian sailing that transcends generations. For a great many adult sailors today, it was their ‘first love’ – the boat they first started sailing in and thereafter got forever hooked in the sport. The class also boasts an impressive track record when it comes to breeding champions. Stuart Wallace, Laser World Champion; Sarah Blank, also a Laser world champion and 2 time Olympian, not to mention the many State and National champions across many classes.
The Minnow today still retains its magic when it comes to appealing to the junior sailor. Over 100 boats competed at the recent Nationals sailed at Sorrento highlighting not only how healthy the Minnow class is but also what great shape our junior sailing is in. Very few classes enjoy membership to this exclusive ‘100 club’ making it one of the strongest in the country.
Hugo Llwelyn 2013 Australian Minnow Champion
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