Sailing Shack Racing

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.

“I hope to give back to my supporters not just by doing them proud in Europe, but also by providing them with value for their donations.”

Crowdfunding differs to normal donation campaigns because every donor receives something in return for their contribution.

Donors to O’Connell’s campaign can select rewards including sailing lessons, souvenirs from his trip to Europe, sponsorship packages and public speaking appearances.

To find out more about O’Connell’s crowdfunding campaign, visit http://teambus.com.au/saileurope

Further information:
● Video of Jeremy O’Connell Sailing: http://youtu.be/8xMOIKkBpzU
● Jeremy O’Connell website jeremyoconnell.org
● About Team Bus: http://teamb.us/tb/cms/about/

Contacts:
Martin Cox- Team Bus
0408 364 129
martin@teamb.us

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

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

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

Underpinning this success story has been a great training & coaching program, strong family support and most importantly, an emphasis on participation and fun. These ingredients were epitomised in this year’s Nationals where the social / on-shore program made the whole experience much more than just a racing regatta.  With daily Minnow Musters for prizes and giveaways, BBQ’s and welcome night, an inspiring presentation from the country’s sailing hero John Bertrand, culminating in a presentation night extravaganza with over 150 kids and 130 adults.  Its difficult to paint in words great atmosphere and culture but when you see over 100 kids spontaneously end up in the water, dressed in their best presentation night clothes for the traditional ‘sandbagging’ of winners, you know there is something pretty unique going on. Apparently throwing each other in the water fully clothed then being dragged through the sand is ‘epic fun’ in kids world.

Broad smiles following the traditional ‘sandbagging’ of the winners

An exciting new development in the class has been the introduction of the new YMS boat – a high quality, fibreglass hull built by Adelaide boat builder, Brett Young. This initiative aims to mirror the success in reinvigorating the Sabre class where YMS boats dominate the top half of the fleet, effectively making it a one design class. With a total of five heat wins, the YMS boats made an impressive debut, proving they are the real deal.

The four new YMS minnows about to be launched for the first time

Conditions were challenging throughout the ten races, with shifty medium to fresh winds and the strong tidal stream of Sorrento. Start lines were also hotly contested with many general recalls and black flags. The high quality of racing and sailing skills displayed was a real standout throughout the regatta, with a total of six different heat winners and the top nine boats all demonstrating race winning potential, highlighting the closeness of competition.

Hugo Llewelyn sailing Gull, was the well deserving winner of the open championship, and a real hallmark of his performance was handling all of the big fleet challenges with consistency and by minimising mistakes. In second place and first girl, was Laura Harding and third place was Kieran Schortz from Darwin Sailing Club.

Australian Minnow Champion 2013: Hugo Llewelyn

In the emerging talent of the Junior division a real battle took place with just five points separating the top three places with Hamish Bolton winning the title, followed by James Hackett and Harry Fox.

In the Novice Fleet, it was fantastic to see so many beginners ‘step up’ and participate, a real testament to their regular involvement in their club and class training programs.  Well done to Jackson Lazzar, Niklas Rathmayr and George Aulich, taking out first, second and third places respectively.

Frank McKenna showing off his intense concentration skills in the Novice Division

Congratulations to all the winners and particularly well done to all the novice sailors, for many this was their first ever regatta and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow every day.

With the exciting new fibreglass boat design and enjoying the support of Yachting Victoria as a Junior pathway class, the future looks bright for the perennial Minnow. All hail the blue sail!

Results:

Open Fleet

1^st: Hugo Llewelyn (27)Vic
2^nd: Laura Harding (30) Vic
3^rd: Kieran Schortz (38) NT
4^th: Dale Brett         (40) WA
5^th: Hayden Harding (43)
6^th: Ethan O’Brien (54)
7^th: Jeremy Edleston (63)
8^th: Joshua Copeland (71)
9^th: Alex Bolton (77)
10^th: James Taylor (78)

Junior Division

1^st: Hamish Bolton (107)
2^nd: James Hackett (110)
3^rd: Harry Fox (112)

Novice Fleet

1^st: Jackson Lazzar (17)
2^nd: Niklas Rathmayr (21)
3^rd: George Aulich (23)
4^th: Grainne Snooks (31)
5^th: Taylor Evans (52)
6^th: Jack Chapman (53)
7^th: Meg Smith (53)
8^th: Celeste Robertson (56)
9^th: Grace Lazzar (59)
10^th: Aemilia Sherwell (60)