Announcement of SSCBC’s New York Team

The SSCBC Sailing Committee has invested significant time, energy and resources into this program as a pathway for our sailors to compete at a high level of sailing and to provide opportunities for those who cannot commit to an Olympic route. It is also a mixed gender team which is something our Club would like to support and encourage. It is hoped that this campaign will be a catalyst for some of our young adult Members to stay active in the sport and remain involved in life at SSCBC.

The SSCBC Foundation will be financially supporting our team going to Newport for this event.

The SSCBC squad initially began with 16 SSCBC young adult sailors who ranged in age and experience. Their training consisted of both on and off water sessions. On the water, the sailors were actively cross training in a variety of boats, representing SSCBC at a number of different Clubs. On home waters, the squad trained in Club pacers, providing the perfect platform to introduce the Harry Baker Trophy, which is the same fun format that will be taking place in NYYC. The squad also made good use of the Club’s Quests to undertake match racing practice whenever possible.

To overcome the hurdle of training on small keelboats, SSCBC teamed up with Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and trained on their J80s. Sandringham Yacht Club also have an active match racing program on their Club Beneteau boats, so the squad enjoyed being part of this friendly competition over the winter months. Fred Allen and Stephen Harvey have also kindly offered their Jubilees for the last training camp at SSCBC on 29-31 September.

The format of the racing at NYYC will be 2 vs 2 (last boat loses). This is a different form of racing where there is a lot more emphasis on tactics, close quarter boat handling and looking behind you rather than in front. The boats that the teams will be racing are Sonars, which were used in the Paralympic Games.

The coaching program has been led by Ben Fels, Adam Hawkins and David White. Ben has been very active with the off water activities, using online platforms to upskill sailors about various rules changes in this new form of racing.

The SSCBC Selection Committee comprise Andrew Plympton AM (Chairman), Vice Commodore Drew Marget, and staff members Adam Hawkins and David White.

The SSCBC Selection Committee is pleased to announce the following 8 sailors will represent the Club at NYYC next month:

Sally Law

Sally is a well known figure around the Club and has been selected to Captain the SSCBC team. Sally is an active Couta boat sailor who started her grass roots sailing at SSCBC. Sally has been leading the winter training campaign which has been in partnership with the SYC match racing program.

Tom Trotman

Tom was recently crowned Waszp European Champion in June of this year and has turned his focus from foils to small keelboats. Tom is an active team racer and has been competing in team racing from a young age, sailing for both SSCBC and Brighton Grammar. Prior to New York, Tom will be competing at the University Games representing Monash in a team racing regatta, which should prove to be an ideal warm up event. Tom is an active coach for our junior and youth sailors and will no doubt be a great role model for future years.

Jack Lloyd

Jack has also been traveling around Europe this winter, competing on the 49er circuit. Jack has a wealth of team racing knowledge from schools team racing for Xavier College and SSCBC. Jack is an active coach at SSCBC and will fly the flag proudly for our junior sailors.

Michael Fels

Like many others on this team, Michael learnt to sail at SSCBC in a minnow many years ago. Since then Michael has been competing in schools team racing for Xavier College and SSCBC and has done many small keelboat regattas in the form of match racing and fleet racing.

Charlotte Llewelyn

Charlotte also started sailing at SSCBC as a junior and has become an accomplished Laser sailor, having won the 4.7 female National Championships. Charlotte is a great example of how this opportunity to represent SSCBC on the global stage has enabled these young adults to become active on the water again.

Casey Imeneo

Casey is the most active sailor on the team. Casey is currently campaigning on a Laser, traveling the world and competing at the highest level. Casey usually sails the Laser Radial which is the Olympic class, but is crossing over to team racing for this event. Casey has made a big effort to improve her rules and tactics which will hopefully help her in her own campaign.

George Davies

Like so many others, George started off in Minnows and worked his way to 49ers. He has been around the schools team racing block as well as sailing for Scotch College and competing against his team mates from time to time. Good to see we are now all on the same team.

David White   

David is SSCBC’s Training Manager and will act as a Coach/Sailor at this event. David has extensive experience of teams racing at an international level and will give invaluable input and support to this impressive SSCBC team as the event unfolds.

Best of luck to the team next month and we will keep you up to date on their progress.

Commodore Graham Cunningham and Andrew Plympton, AM, Chairman of Selection Committee.