Tess Lloyd is pleased that her parents Mark and Tonia have recently taken up family membership at QCYC. “It's going to be my little bit of solitude and down time, sharing it with my family and friends, plus meeting oldies!”
These comments come from a young lady who is currently spending her life travelling the world in pursuit of Olympic qualification and who recalls how she started sailing: “The Minnow was the first boat I jumped into. One Christmas morning I found my first Minnow in the pool waiting for me! I started sailing at Parkdale Yacht Club (PYC)”.
“My whole family inspired me to sail as they have been involved in the sailing community their whole lives and still are! I have a million little cousins running around yacht clubs in Melbourne with me and hope to see them on the Olympic circuit too one day!” Mark and Tonia Lloyd are windsurfers who have recently renovated their motor launch ‘Annie Laurie’. Our Commodore, John Mooney, also coached Tess in her Minnow ‘Blonde Bombshell’.
Tess (R) and Caitlin
“My aim is the Rio Olympics 2016, and beyond, in the 49er FX. This is a 2 woman fast skiff with both skipper and crew on trapeze. My crew Caitlin Elks, from Perth, and I are members of the Australian Sailing Squad. We spend most of our time either in Europe or USA for our major international events”.
This is the stuff of dreams for most of us, and the result of an enormous amount of individual hard work, dedication and commitment, not to mention a wonderfully supportive family. But when you consider what else has happened to Tess it is truly inspirational.
In January 2012, at the age of 16, Tess was hit in the head by a planing windsurfer whilst sailing her 29er at a youth event in Brisbane. She was knocked unconscious and suffered a serious brain injury requiring surgery and two weeks in an induced coma. When she woke she had to learn how to walk and talk again but, although there was concern that she might not be able to, she proved that she hadn’t forgotten how to sail. Nevertheless, several doctors advised her not to get back in a boat and risk further injury. But Tess wanted sailing back in her life and didn’t take the cautious option.
Less than a year later she won the 29er skiff class at the ISAF World Cup in Melbourne. In December 2013 she and Caitlin came fourth in the 49er FX at the same event, and a year later the pair were 3rd and the top placed Australians.
“Last year in Spain, Santander, Caitlin and I won the spot for Australia to send a 49er FX to Rio, but now we need to qualify ourselves as the number 1 Australian team”.
“I am currently on a gap year from study after completing my year 12 by distant education. Caitlin and I are fully committed to the program, which also involves a great deal of physical training in the Victorian institute of Sport gym and may hours of logistics getting ourselves and gear around the world. We have a number of boats all scattered around the world. A lot of boats, which equals a lot of headaches! Our next regatta is in Argentina, Buenos Aires - the World Championship which is a major qualification event for the 2016 Olympics”.
“Through the sailing fraternity I have meet so many good people, sharing the love for the water and just the love for sailing. Very excited for what’s next!”
QCYC is proud to welcome Mark and Tonia as members and wish Tess and Caitlin every possible success in their Olympic campaign. Look out for Tess, and her brother Jack, enjoying some downtime at QCYC between campaigns.
You can follow Tess through her Facebook page “Tess and Caitlin Road to Rio”.
Last Modified on 02/11/2015 17:59