Olympic opening

The Australian Sailing Team has introduced the next generation of female sailors to Olympic-class racing through a 49erFX Experience Camp at Lake Macquarie.

Photography by Australian Sailing Team

16 October 2026

The four-day Australian Sailing Team camp brought together 11 aspiring female sailors aged 16 to 19, offering hands-on experience in the high-performance 49erFX skiff and an insight into the demands of an Olympic sailing campaign.

Participants came from a range of sailing disciplines, including 29ers, 13ft skiffs, Waszps and wing foiling. For many, it was their first opportunity to sail a 49erFX, with crews rotating partners and positions to build their skills and understanding of the Olympic class.

The program combined on-water training with sessions covering physical preparation, sports psychology and the broader requirements of elite competition.

49erFX National Coach Jim Colley OLY leads the Experience Camp, helping the next generation of sailors explore the Olympic pathway.

Brooke Wilson guides participants through land-based trapeze drills, developing skills for Olympic-class 49erFX sailing. (Credit: Eliza Kirby)

Australian Sailing Squad athlete Brooke Wilson joins young sailors on the water during the 49erFX Experience Camp at Lake Macquarie. (Credit: Eliza Kirby)

Australian Sailing Team Physiologist Lucy Scott led physical preparation activities, while NSW Institute of Sport Psychologist Gabi Shore delivered a session on performing under pressure.

The camp was supported by 49erFX National Coach Jim Colley OLY and Youth Pathways Head Coach Brady Lowe, with Australian Sailing Squad athletes Brooke Wilson and Evie Haseldine OLY joining participants for the first two days.

Both athletes sailed alongside the young crews and shared their experiences of preparing for an Olympic campaign.

Colley said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between youth sailing and Olympic competition.

“The jump from youth sailing into an Olympic class is a significant one, and I feel one of the biggest challenges is that young sailors don’t necessarily know how to make that step, and then what an Olympic campaign entails once they do,” Colley explained.

“The idea behind the camp was to give them some exposure to the FX program, not just sailing the boat, but how we train, how we learn and the standards we set ourselves.”

Three days of favourable breeze provided valuable time on the water, allowing participants to develop their boat-handling skills and apply lessons from the coaching sessions.

Colley said the camp also established important connections between emerging sailors and national coaches, creating opportunities for ongoing guidance and mentoring.

“The feedback so far has been positive, and it was fantastic to see them all interacting and learning so well from each other,” he said.

“Absolutely there are some exciting prospects, and it’s imperative that we keep investing in this space to ensure our young sailors have the chance to progress through the pathway and achieve their sailing aspirations.”

The 49erFX Experience Camp forms part of Australian Sailing’s broader commitment to strengthening high-performance pathways and developing the next generation of Olympic sailing talent.

australiansailingteam.com.au

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