Nationals

Unfortunately I have had to withdraw my entry from the nationals due to my health. I'm improving slowly but am not quite there yet and am very much looking forward to getting back in the boat. I will enjoy a few weeks relaxing at home with the parents and wish everyone the best of luck for their own sailing.

Hope everyone has happy holidays!

Gabe

Sail Brisbane

As some of you may know I have had fatigue plaguing me over much of the year. I have recently been referred to a new doctor who has made some headway into determining the cause of the problems. It is on her advice that I have withdrawn my entry for Sail Brisbane. I will be watching the regatta from the coach boat. My entry in the other regattas of the summer is pending the doctors advice.

Good luck to all those competing.

Gabe

AIS Fitness Camp

I've just returned from 4 days down at the AIS in Canberra for an ASDS fitness camp. The camp focus was screening and fitness testing as they released the new testing protocol. Very exciting was the incorporation of a new hiking test for us Laser sailors.

Throughout the camp we also had access to some of the support staff which we don't normally see so much. Rosie (our amazing sports psychologist) gave several talks which were very useful in identifying thought processess and their effects on our performance. Donna (physio) told us how important it is we look after our bodies and Louise (nutrition) gave a reminder of what we should and shouldn't be eating. We also had a few sailing talks run by some of the State coaches which were good for putting our minds back in the boats.
 
Being surrounded by some of the amazing athletes at the AIS is always an incredible experience. Also the energy and comradery that we (the ASDS) as a group had was great to be around again.

I also found out that the Radials will be doing some work with Fletch over the coming months. I'm really excited and think this will be a valuable experience - Fletch has a wealth of knowledge that I'm looking forward to tapping into.

Thanks,
Gabe

Coasts

On the weekend we had the Laser Coasts Championship held this year at Toukley Sailing Club on the Central Coast. There was a great turn up for the event, with several sailors making the trip from Queensland and South Australia! Day One was lovely sunshine, and a nice light tricky breeze that created some very interesting racing. We managed to get 3 good races in, which I am excited to say I won all of. Day Two was overcast, but a much more stable breeze. The intention was for 3 races, but the weather gods had different ideas, sending a lovely thunder storm that shortened race 2 and sent us in for an early pack up. I finished first in the radials, with Nick Howe 2nd and Will Howard 3rd.

The NSW & ACT Laser Association AGM was also held on the Sunday and I am the Youth Rep again this year. I hope to continue the momentum created from last seasons youth training camps - it was very nice to see a strong youth fleet at this event.

In other news, on Friday I'm heading down to the AIS in Canberra for the ASDS fitness camp.

Gabe

Yachting Australia Awards

On Friday night I travelled to Melbourne for the Yachting Australia Awards night where I was a finalist as Youth Sailor of the Year. The other finalists were Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin, Ashley Stoddart, and James Sly and Andrew Gillies. It was a great honour to win the award for a second time and to spend a wonderful evening surrounded by some of the amazing people who make up the sailing community.

In other news I have basically just been back on the water with Erik, training with Stuart and we have been joined a few times now by Nick and Joe. Nice to have some new company. A recent training session with the 470s also provided some entertainment and a different group dynamic.

In a few weeks time I head down to the AIS with some other members of the ASDS for a fitness camp. So I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Gabe

Hi There

This website stems from my recent trip to Europe where I had so many people wanting updates on how things were going. As I campaign towards the 2012 Olympics, I imagine this will be a situation I encounter again. So, better late than never!

I'll start with a quick summary of my recent news: Over June and July I was in Europe and Japan competing in Kiel, the Europeans and the Worlds. This was my first time doing some of the European circuit and an amazing experience. I'm now back in Australia busy catching up on Uni work, and getting back into my fitness routine. I will start back on the water again at the end of the month.

A massive thank you to all those who contacted me while I was away. Your kind thoughts and well wishes were greatly appreciated. Also, thank you to everyone who has supported me so far: My parents, friends and family; Yachting Australia; NSWIS; Zhik; PSA; Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club. Without you I could not have done it.

Cheers,
Gabe