Adam Smith, Thursday, 9 May 2013
Dedication to his sport pays off for Alexander.
Alexander decided early last year that his aim with his sailing was to make the Victorian Development Squad (now the Victorian Sailing Team). Following the plan that Noel Gibson & Caitlin Davies worked out for him he has now achieved that goal, last week receiving his invitation to join the team. This means Alexander has progressed at WYC from Level 1 (Tackers) to Level 7 on the Yachting Victoria Sailing Pathways (Level 8 is the Victoiran Institute of Sport Sailing Program).
Selection for the team was based on results from 4 major regattas; Class Nationals, OAMPS Youth Nationals, Class States and OAMPS Youth State titles. For the Lasers, the top 5 kids sailing the 4.7 (excluding VIS squad members) are invited to join the squad.
Alexander has been sailing the Laser 4.7 for close to 18 months now and his sailing and results have improved greatly since competing at the Nationals & Youth Nationals in Hobart in January this year. As a result of his commitment and improvement to his sailing he was invited to do the Yachting Victoria Sailing Camp held during the April school holidays at McCrae Yacht Club.
Alexander’s coaching will now be stepped up (a whole lot!). He will be transitioning from the Laser 4.7 to the Laser Radial over the next few months. He will participate in the 2013-14 Victorian Laser Association High Performance Program. The program includes 64 full days of coaching (including regatta support), 25 after school coaching sessions and on water support at a number of major regattas (including Queensland Youth Week, Laser Nationals, Sail Sydney, NSW Youth Championships).
As a Victorian Sailing Team member Alexander will also receive a financial contribution towards the cost of participation in this coaching program, participation in two VIS/VST camps, to be held in June & September. and invitations to a number of off-water presentations and guest speakers.
He will also attend either Queensland Youth Week in July or NSW Youth Championships in October along with participation in various regattas here in Victoria.
Alexander’s next goal is to successfully transition to the Laser Radial and to retain his place in the VST next year. After that, (and a lot of hard work) he hopes to eventually make it the Australian Youth Team.
I'm sure you are all proud of Alexander's achievements and will wish him all the best when you next see him at the club in his VST uniform!
Last Modified on 09/05/2013 20:57