The ILCA European Championship kicks off this week in Kastela, Croatia, with Australia’s top sailors prepared for competition on the Adriatic Sea after an intensive preparation period.
The Australian ILCA6 Squad has been training at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre in Varese, Italy, following the first two Sailing Grand Slam events of the season. The team underwent a thorough fitness regime and mental reset before heading to Croatia for final preparations.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Mara Stransky aims to consolidate her performance after finishing eighth at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia. “My season so far has shown promise but has been a little messy on the execution front, so the goal for this week is to tidy up and allow the processes to do their thing,” Stransky commented.
The Queenslander anticipates challenging and varied conditions throughout the regatta. “The conditions here could range from very light onshore winds with swell outside to strong winds from the mountains on flat water in the inshore racecourses, making it a great test for well-rounded sailors.”
Stransky will compete alongside a strong Australian ILCA 6 contingent against a fleet of 123 sailors.
Although Olympic champion Matt Wearn will not participate in the ILCA7 fleet, fellow Australian Sailing Team members Ethan McAullay and Zac Littlewood will lead the Australian challenge. McAullay comes into the event with solid recent results, having placed 13th at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia and seventh at French Olympic Week.
“I’m not too disappointed with how the season’s been panning out so far,” McAullay stated. “However, the goal is to podium at a peak event like the Europeans this week or Worlds later this year.”
He is prepared for unpredictable conditions, noting, “It’s hard to know exactly what to expect. The forecast suggests seabreezes most days, but the specific race course is still to be determined.”
The championship will consist of 12 races over six days, from May 17-22.
ILCA 6 (123 entries)
– Elyse Ainsworth (AST)
– Mara Stransky (AST)
– Zoe Thomson (AST)
– Evie Saunders (AS Squad)
– Casey Imeneo (ASF)
– Sylvie Stannage (AUS)
– Frances Beebe (AUS)
ILCA 7 (179 entries)
– Ethan McAullay (AST)
– Zac Littlewood (AST)
– Michael Compton (AS Squad)
– Lawson McAullay (AS Squad)
– Isaac Schotte (AS Squad)
– Alexander Bijkerk (SSPP)
– Patrick Scally (AUS)
@aussailingteam #ILCA #EuropeanChampionship #Kastela
Lisa Darmanin – Australian Sailing Team Communications & Brand Lead
www.australiansailingteam.com.au
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